About

The Perpetual Help Fund has grown out of the Redemptorist Christmas Hamper Appeal, which began life as the Poor Campaign back in 1972. The Poor Campaign was an initiative of Fr Vincent Kavanagh. Fr Kavanagh worked very hard to establish the Poor Campaign and succeeded in making the campaign an integral part of Christmas in Limerick. After Fr Kavanagh’s death, Fr Gerry Daly took over and expanded the campaign. In 2015 the Poor Campaign was renamed the Redemptorist Christmas Hamper Appeal and is administered by the Redemptorist Perpetual Help Fund.

The Perpetual Help Fund is an initiative of the Redemptorist Community based in Mount St Alphonsus. The primary work of the fund is the Redemptorist Christmas Hamper Appeal. The fund also provides grants to local organisations involved in the alleviation of poverty in particular food poverty. The Perpetual Help Fund is a founding member of the Limerick Food Partnership.

The work of the Perpetual Help Fund is made possible through the dedication of a number of very dedicated volunteers. This is particularly true of those volunteers involved in the Redemptorist Christmas Hamper Appeal. Some volunteers have been involved for over 40 years!

The Perpetual Help Fund is very generously supported by the people of Limerick city and county and the surrounding areas. We receive support from individuals, families and local businesses as well as from members of the diaspora.

The Perpetual Help Fund is ably managed by a committee of volunteers. Richard Leonard, Chair, Sr Therese Barry, Fr Seamus Enright, Prof. Niamh Hourigan, Fr Aidan McMahon, Sean Moriarty, Attracta Mulryan, Bill Noonan, Michael Tiernan and Eileen Hoffler, Development Officer, Perpetual Help Fund.