A local charity has raised over £190,000 in just two weeks to help provide heat, essentials and gifts for families across Northern Ireland thanks to the support of people and businesses across the province.

The festive fundraising initiative from DIGG Deep for Kids, is in aid of Simon Community, St Vincent De Paul and Cash for Kids. Everything has now been dispatched to the charities to distribute to the families who need the assistance.

The campaign, which is now in its fifth year, has raised over £650,000 to date and has helped thousands of families across Northern Ireland.

Over 100 local businesses supported the campaign by donating, providing raffle prizes, acting as a drop off point or holding their own DIGG Breakfast event.

Caroline O’Neill, Founder of DIGG Deep For Kids said: “Once again, we are blown away by the amazing support from the people and businesses across Northern Ireland. Over £190,000 was raised in just over two weeks to help the people in our community who need our support. At a time when families across Northern Ireland are making the heart-breaking decision over buying food or heating their home, we have been able to provide £50,000 to St Vincent De Paul which will be used to provide heat for the charity’s beneficiaries, not just at Christmas, but throughout 2024.

DIGG Deep For Kids represents the power of the people as everyone joins together to make this amazing fundraising initiative possible. I would like to thank everyone for their kind donations, both monetary and providing gifts, and the many businesses who have provided vital support.”

Niamh Taylor, Vice-Chair of DIGG Deep for Kids added: “We also have the support from some of Northern Ireland’s favourite personalities from social media who have used their networks to help maximise the donations and turn them into over £350,000 worth of gifts and essentials for our charities and their help is very much appreciated. That’s the magic of DIGG Deep for Kids and together, we can and we will, help make a massive difference this Christmas, and into next year, for thousands of families.”