Feel good Friday: Donegal clinic accepts toys for charity instead of payment

Tis the season for giving. Not only to our friends and family, but to those less fortunate. 

In the true spirit of Christmas giving, Freedom Spinal Health in Letterkenny, Donegal, is accepting toys for the St Vincent De Paul in lieu of payment today. 

In a recent Facebook post, chiropractor Anthony Lavin  said: 

"On this day instead of taking payment for care, we ask that people donate new, boxed toys of similar value. These toys will then be collected by St Vincent de Paul and distributed to local families in our community, who may otherwise go without." 

They continued that last year they were "blown away" by the generosity of the community for last years appeal. 

In a video, Lavin explained that they received donations last year from patients and non-patients alike. 

Speaking to Donegal Daily, Lavin said that the drive has been such a success that they've opened a second box in Buncrana. 

This is the second year of the St Vincent De Paul appeal. Lavin, who only recently returned to Donegal after a decade living in the U.K, had run similar appeals for the Salvation Army in the past. 

“As the community supports me all year round by choosing us to be their chiropractor I feel it’s great to be in a position to give something back," he said.

“St Vincent de Paul do brilliant work with those most at need, right on our own doorstep, so I felt it right to support them." 

Last year the appeal was so successful that the SVP had to send a van to collect all the toys. Lavin said that he expects his year to be just as big.