For nearly thirty years Bryson Charitable Group’s Family Services Department have been supporting families in need in our community, and for this, their thirtieth Christmas, they have received generous donations of help from a number of private companies, individuals and schools including donations from CitiGroup, Aquinas Grammar school, Ballyclare Secondary School & Valuation & Lands office.

However, the nominations for gifts for children exceeded the donations received and left a shortfall of 54 gifts. "Unfortunately Christmas Day for some children can be the same as any other day, therefore, each year, we at Bryson ensure that each disadvantaged child we work with gets a new gift for Christmas," said Dawn Thompson, Senior Manager, Bryson Family Services. "We realised we needed extra help and we were very lucky to be able to turn to HEAT, who were willing to help at very short notice," she continued.

Management and staff at HEAT offered to supply the additional 54 gifts, which meant the Charity was able to provide a gift for each of this years 268 nominated children. “Our staff enjoyed the challenge of buying gifts for a nominated child, especially as need was being met at a local level, and we were delighted to support the annual initiative of Bryson Family Services, Christmas Appeal,” said Julie Brien, Communications Officer, HEAT.

"Bryson would like to extend a big thank-you on behalf of all of these children for all the support we received this year, and in past years, and to HEAT particularly, who have worked with us on a number of larger projects in the past".