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to people with life-disrupting problems |
Daniel opens his heart to city's needy
Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell in Bristol to help homeless
From the Bristol Evening Post, Friday, December 11, 2009, 07:00.
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Irish eyes were smiling on the homeless of Bristol yesterday when Daniel O'Donnell presented a cheque to the Crisis Centre Ministries.
The singer, who turns 48 tomorrow, took time out from rehearsing for his Bristol concerts to meet Crisis Centre drop-in manager Alan Goddard at The Grant Bradley Gallery, in Bedminster.
He presented Mr Goddard with a hamper of gifts and a cheque for £1,000, raised by the Grant Bradley Trust, which will help pay for a Christmas party for over 250 homeless and vulnerable people at the centre in St Pauls.
The Irish singing sensation has been a supporter of the Trust since a chance meeting with trustee Father Gregory Grant, parish priest at St Patrick's Church in Redfield.
He said: "It was about 20 years ago when I was at a Cliff Richard concert and Father Gregory came up to me and asked me to support his charity. I bumped into him again by chance in Tenerife and so I couldn't really say no.
"Their work is fantastic and I think this year in particular has been a difficult one for charities as there are so many other demands on people's income. The fact that this money can help charities on the ground and local people on the streets is very important and definitely a very good thing."
Mr Goddard said: "We are so grateful for this money and it will mean hundreds of people will enjoy a Christmas meal and presents. We're also working to open a new drop-in centre in Easton so it really is a blessing."