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News & Events

SVP in the House!

In mid-May the St Vincent de Paul Society was offered the rare opportunity to host a week long exhibition at the Houses of Parliament in London. This provided a chance to raise awareness of the work of the SVP among Members of the House of Commons and the Lords, as well as the many visitors passing through Parliament on a daily basis. The event was arranged following the Society’s entry in to a raffle style process supported by MP for Leeds West, John Battle, himself a keen supporter of the work of the Society.

Trustees, members and staff who were on hand through the week at the exhibition, which featured literature and visual information displaying the work of the Society, to talk about what the Society does, both on a membership level and in our numerous Special Works across the country with any interested parties passing by. There was positive feedback and interest from many who visited the exhibition, which included surprise from some at the wide variety of work being carried out by the SVP nationwide, much of which goes unnoticed.

The exhibition was officially opened on Tuesday morning by John Battle (pictured left) who formally welcomed the SVP into Parliament and advised those present on what they could expect over the course of the week.

On Thursday evening a special reception was held for a number of guests from the Catholic Church, including Rev Mgr Malachy Keegan and Rev Mgr Andrew Summersgill from the Bishop’s Conference, and representatives from the Catholic Press including Universe editor Joseph Kelly and Elena Curtin, Deputy Editor of The Tablet. Also attending were the various sponsors who kindly contributed towards the total cost of the event and the display materials, including representatives from construction company Taylor Woodrow, the Bulldog Trust and Quadrant Publishing.

The exhibition was considered by all to be a great success and an invaluable opportunity to raise the profile of the Society both within the influential halls of Parliament and nationwide. Special thanks go to John Battle and his staff for the warm and hospitable welcome he extended to all those involved in the event and for the numerous tours around the Houses of Parliament he gave to members and staff alike over the course of the week.

 

Click here to view photos from the event

 

[20.5.09]

 

©2007 St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) reg Charity 1053992 Co.3174679. A member of the International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.