FLAC Home for Christmas Appeal

Home for Christmas is not the same for everyone.  Somefamilies will face job losses, evictions, financial distress and family breakdowns this Christmas and New Year. Often FLAC is their first port of call, as they face a legal system alone.

Dear Pila Supporter,

We hope you are well in what has been a significantly difficult year for so many. FLAC, like so many charities and businesses throughout Ireland, were no different. However, we were determined to ensure that people who need it most, could continue to have access to free legal information and advice.

FLAC is the first, and at times, last port of call for many, demonstrating the acute need for legal assistance. FLAC is hugely reliant on the generous support of the legal profession through membership contributions and pro bono support, to ensure it can continue to offer its services for free, to people who are vulnerable and marginalised.

With the cost of living rising and Covid financial supports being removed, this is causing huge distress to families facing a financial crisis and possible eviction from their homes.

The sudden and significant spike in energy and other costs of living heading into the winter months will likely cause further distress, leaving many families in a crisis this Christmas. FLAC receives unprecedented numbers of family law queries in relation to access to children, and marital breakdown from families under immense pressure. 

The phoneline is over-whelmed with complex new queries from people who have lost their jobs, have their wages or hours cut, are unable to pay rent, or facing evictions. Many families are suffering an inability to pay back loans during the pandemic and the reality is that for some, their financial difficulties may become more long term.

FLAC supports the phone line to provide more detailed legal information, by increasing the number and experience of staff responding to these calls, all of which require new funding.

As we face a third year of living with the pandemic, we will continue to see demand for our services soar. 

FLAC has an urgent need to ensure it has the resources to meet this demand and we hope you can support us.

Should you wish to make a donation to FLAC, how to do so is outlined below.

Many thanks for your continued support and we wish you and yours the very best of health and prosperity in 2022.

Yours sincerely,

Eilis Barry

_______________________

Eilis Barry

Chief Executive – FLAC

E:  Eilis.barry@flac.ie M:  087 7542780

Your donation: 

Your donation will help us continue our Telephone Information Line, to meet the unprecedented demand for our free legal support and advice. FLAC needs your support to ensure its services are there for those who need them most.

FLAC has provided legal information to 12,124 callers to its Telephone Information and Referral Line from January to November 2021 and 2,505 attended a Phone Legal Advice Clinic.

While no donation is too small;

€500 would enable us to provide free legal information to an additional 40 individuals.

€1,000 would enable us to provide further support to 70 individuals with more complex issues to a Legal Advice Phone Clinic.

€5,000 would enable us to provide legal information to an additional 400 individuals.

Your will receive an acknowledgement of your donation and an invoice for your records.  Thank you.

FLAC is a human rights organisation which exists to promote equal access to justice for all. Our vision is of a society where everyone can access fair and accountable mechanisms to vindicate their rights.

Payment Details:

·         Make a cheque or postal order payable to FLAC (Free Legal Advice Clinics)

·         Donate securely online on www.flac.ie/donate

·         Transfer a donation to FLAC - Free Legal Advice Centres, Ulster Bank, 33 College Green, Dublin 2. BIC: ULSBIE2D IBAN: IE03ULSB98501006864680