Latest news with #HelpingHands
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Autism centre gets free glow up after social media SOS
"I need your help!" When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would respond. He had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow up. On Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers. "You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a transformation. The successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast. "As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said. "I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better. "A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness". "It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said. "We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for charities. But Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said. "Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years. "What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good." Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one." "That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said. "From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details. "Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too. "At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive." "I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said. "Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills. "If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Autism centre in Northern Ireland gets glow up after Facebook SOS
"I need your help!"When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers."You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast."As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said."I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better."A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." 'Act of kindness' Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness"."It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said."We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said."Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years."What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good."Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one.""That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said."From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. 'We all have skills' "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details."Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too."At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive.""I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said."Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills."If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
CTV News
17-06-2025
- CTV News
Sault charity Helping Hands needs a helping hand after break-in
Last weekend, Helping Hands Sault Ste. Marie was the victim of a break-in, with roughly $5,000 worth of items stolen. Last weekend, Helping Hands Sault Ste. Marie was the victim of a break-in, with roughly $5,000 worth of items stolen. It happened around 2 a.m., with the culprit getting away with the charity's point-of-sale machine, a new lawnmower, laptops and newly donated tools. Helping Hands2 Last weekend, Helping Hands Sault Ste. Marie was the victim of a break-in, with roughly $5,000 worth of items stolen. (Photo from video) Helping Hands president Robert Peace showed CTV News around the site of the break-in Tuesday afternoon. 'Unfortunately, we have a number of doors here, and this is one of them,' Peace said. He pointed to a door at the top of the building's entrance, right next to the security camera pointed at the main door directly across. Helping 3 Security camera footage only caught the back of the head of the suspected thief. (Photo from video) 'They entered in a way that, unfortunately, we were only able to capture a picture of the back of their head,' Peace said. They reported the incident to police, but are more worried about making sure it doesn't happen again. 'We're going to be making sure certain places are reinforced (and) that there is a very loud alarm system,' Peace said. 'Something that's going to just scare people away and hopefully just say, 'OK, I'm not going to I'm not going to target this place.' That should be happening very soon.' He's hoping better security will not only ensure the safety of their belongings but also bring peace of mind to volunteers. 'If anybody's been broken into, you know that sense of violation,' Peace said. 'Even if it's not your own house, it kind of feels like that to our volunteers and our board members.' Vishavjeet Kaur has been volunteering as the thrift shop's manager for nine months. This is the first time the building has been broken into since she's started. 'I was shocked, actually, because we are trying to help people in the community, newcomers,' Kaur said. 'It's actually a little horrible.' Luckily, the community has been generous, and they have raised more than $2,000 to replace those lost items. Helping hands Helping Hands president Robert Peace showed CTV News around the site of the break-in Tuesday afternoon. (Photo from video) First to be replaced is the point-of-sale system, so the charity can accept debit or credit card donations in exchange for clothes and other items at the thrift store. Although the new machine won't be in for a few more days. 'It obviously stifles some things if people want to help and they can't,' Peace said. 'So we have a daily hope target and obviously we can't meet that right now.' The timing of the break-in is also unfortunate. He and many other volunteers are preparing for the annual Helping Hands community barbecue and yard sale. 'We have a free barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks,' Peace said. 'We have face painting, we have the balloon animal guy, we have a bike tune-up person. We have some different community groups that are coming here to network with people and music.' Peace said they won't let the recent crime dampen their weekend plans, with the event taking place at their headquarters at 346 Wellington St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a special announcement at noon by local MPP Chris Scott.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- CTV News
Sault charity needs a helping hand
Last weekend, Helping Hands Sault Ste. Marie was the victim of a break-in, with roughly $5,000 worth of items stolen.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- BBC News
Helping Hands Bradford director charged after fraud investigation
The director of a Bradford support group has been charged with Hands, based in Bierley, describes itself as "primarily a food bank", which also offers white goods, furniture, toiletries, cleaning supplies and baby Tempest, 39, of Fallowfield Drive, Bradford, has been charged with fraud by abuse of position, West Yorkshire Police force said she was due to appear before magistrates in the city at a later date. A police spokesperson said: "Police investigating reports of potentially fraudulent activity at a Bradford based online charitable group, Helping Hands, have charged a woman."Officers would like to remind people that criminal proceedings are now active and people should refrain from speculation that could impact those proceedings." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
