Independent Cllr West Belfast | Founder @Foodstock__ | Right to Food Commissioner | Former Deputy Mayor of Belfast | Anti-Poverty Campaigner |

Belfast
Iceland Foods at Kennedy Centre, West Belfast will be opening their store between 8-9am for the elderly starting this Tuesday. The wider public are asked to respect this hour as it has been allocated for elderly people only. Would be great to see other stores now do the same 👏
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Standing with 60,000 Celtic supporters tonight showing solidarity with the people of Palestine 🕊
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It’s extremely disappointing to see my election posters alongside this sectarian message on an eleventh night bonfire. Leaders in the unionist community need to call these actions out and put a stop to this once and for all.
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This is not a celebration of culture, it is promotion of sectarian hatred and has no place in our society. I will not be deterred from continuing to work for everyone in our community.
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Solidarity triumphs over hate. #Belfast
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On Christmas Eve, we will be out delivering hundreds of free cooked Christmas dinners throughout West Belfast. If you know someone on their own, an elderly or vulnerable neighbour or family member that would benefit from a Christmas dinner; please message / email me and our team at Foodstock will deliver to their door. 👇 📧 Paul.Doherty@FoodstockCharity.com 📱07794304259 This is what community is all about - looking out for one another. #Community #SolidarityNotCharity
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We were told about a young boy today who had mentioned to friends that Santa is sick this year and isn't able to visit his house. His Mum was really struggling.  This is how the community responded at @Foodstock__. A happy boy now on Christmas Day we hope. Well done West Belfast.  #SolidarityNotCharity
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Racist thugs burnt out Ahmad's grocery store on the Donegall Road in South Belfast last year. Glad to support him in his journey towards opening a new shop on the Falls Road today. Good to see the whole community getting behind him and wishing him the very best. He has worked night and day to get here. Please support him if you can. #Community
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On behalf of the people of Belfast, it was an honour to officially welcome President-elect Catherine Connolly to the city today during my opening address at Oireachtas na Samhna, her first visit to the North since her election victory. As thousands gather in our city this week to celebrate the Irish language, culture, and community through this incredible event, there’s a real buzz and a deep sense of pride and connection right across Belfast. Cuirimid fáilte chroíúil romhaibh go Béal Feirste. #ONS25 #Oireachtas
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After being foced out of his business and community by racist thugs I was delighted to help Ahmad set up a new shop on the Falls Road in the heart of West Belfast, which will open soon. He recieved such a warm welcome today from everyone we met. Show him some support if you can.
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Imagine Spain defending the European Championship in 2028 right here in West Belfast 🇪🇸 It can happen, but we need to move quickly and not let this incredible opportunity pass us by. It's time to build Casement 🏟
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Dissapointed to be approached by a group of men on the Shankill this evening and told that we weren't welcome. This won't deter me from continuing to work for people in this community. I am running to represent everyone in West Belfast. @sdlplive
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Incredible show of community solidarity from the people of the Falls Road tonight after a group of young people attacked a shop owned by a migrant family. A strong message sent that we won't tolerate this behaviour. I have met with police and they are currently acting upon information provided to them regarding those involved. #Community
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On Christmas Eve, we will be out delivering hundreds of free cooked Christmas dinners again throughout communities in West Belfast. If you know someone on their own, an elderly or vulnerable neighbour or family member that would benefit from a Christmas dinner; please message / email me and our team at Foodstock will deliver to their door. 👇 📧 Paul.Doherty@FoodstockCharity.com 📱07794304259 This is what community is all about - looking out for one another. We couldn't do this without the incredible generosity of Lily's Kitchen and Bar who have kindly offered to cook these meals for Foodstock for free. #Community #SolidarityNotCharity
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This is West Belfast. Ali, Rachid and Marwan from Syria and Yemen came to me saying they wanted to help the community they now call home. They are now a vital part of our team at @Foodstock__ . Thank-you #OneCommunity #WestBelfast
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👔 West Belfast Pre-loved School Uniform Hub 👔 Take what you need for free / Leave what you no longer need. Another busy week where we have been glad to see the stress of costly school uniforms lifted from so many parents. Real community solidarity. 🤝
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Some news... We are opening a permanent Preloved School Uniform Hub for West Belfast this month. Last summer, our hub seen up to 100 children a day being kitted out, such was the impact of extortionate uniform costs on families in the community. 1/3
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A true honour to host Palestinian boxers at Belfast City Hall recently. The bond between the people of Ireland and Palestine is unbreakable. #Solidarity 🇵🇸
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In West Belfast, we are organising humanitarian aid for people fleeing Ukraine 🇺🇦 Donations needed for truck leaving for Poland on Fri:winter clothes, non-perishable food,first aid, toiletries & nappies. 📍Drop off point from Monday: @Foodstock__ 150 Andersonstown Rd, BT11 9BY
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I've spent this evening trying to talk sense into many young people engaging in violence at Lanark Way and on the Springfield Road. This needs to end now before someone is seriously hurt or worse, killed.
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The message from City Hall today was loud and clear – Paul Givan must go! No Education Minister should travel to spread Israeli propaganda and visit occupied Palestinian land while thousands of children are being killed and schools destroyed. Solidarity with the people of Palestine – today and every day. 🇵🇸
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Proud tonight that Belfast City Council has agreed an Irish Language Policy for the very first time. ⭕️ Polaisí na Gaeilge: Comhaontaithe!
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Belfast is now a Right To Food city following my motion being passed at council tonight! Access to food is a human right. I will contine to fight to ensure a Right to Food is enshrined in law & to end the scandal of hunger and foodbanks in our communities once and for all.
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Really shocked and humbled to win the award for Unsung Hero at the #SpiritofNI Awards tonight. In all honesty though, the real unsung heroes are all the selfless volunteers at @Foodstock__ who step up for others in our communities each and every day. This one is for them. 🤝
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A proud moment for me, my family and my community. Thank you everyone for putting your trust in me. I promise to be a champion for all the people of Belfast.
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From West Belfast to Palestine – what an incredible show of solidarity this morning at Sarsfields GAC. 🇮🇪 🇵🇸 Young hurlers lined out under the banner “Paistí ag Tacú le Paistí – Children Helping Children”, with each club representing a city in Gaza or the West Bank: St John’s / Hebron St Paul’s / Gaza City Sarsfields / Deir Al Balah Davitts / Bethlehem Lámh Dhearg / Khan Younis St Gall’s / Rafah Gort na Móna / Ramallah Rossa / Nablus Huge thanks to Gaels Against Genocide and all the clubs for organising such a powerful event – a powerful message of solidarity from West Belfast 🇵🇸 🇮🇪 #WestBelfast #SolidarityWithGaza #ChildrenHelpingChildren
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West Belfast has a new world champion! 🥊 Well done to the Andytown Apache, Anthony Cacace. An absolute warrior! 👏👏👏
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Met with Translink today to challenge the unacceptable absence of Irish language signage in what will be this island’s largest transport hub here in Belfast. This must be addressed urgently. This hub needs to be representative of the inclusive and shared city we are working to build.
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They said it couldn't be done, but last night we did it! Thank you to the people of West Belfast for putting your trust in me. As your elected representative, I will work tirelessly for you and your family every day.
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Shame on those far-right thugs who targeted a peaceful anti-facist rally in Belfast today with fireworks and missles. You are outnumbered and won't win. We will continue to stand up against your hate.
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Thank-you to each and every one of you who came out and voted for me this week. Today was tough, but I'll be back out in the community again tomorrow doing what I love most, and that is continuing to work for the people of West Belfast. See you all soon.
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Today, we were in Ukraine and at the border providing support to people fleeing the country. Among the aid deliveried today were messages of solidarity written on boxes and parcels from back home. I seen today how that simple gesture meant a lot to many. Thank-you
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Some news… I’m truly honoured to have been nominated as the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. Growing up in Turflodge, I never dreamt I’d have the chance to represent our city in this way. I’ll continue to be on the ground in communities, tackling the issues people face day in, day out. But this role also gives me a platform - to stand up for those too often left behind and to celebrate everything that makes this city such a special place. Looking forward to getting stuck in!
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Raymond McCord reached out to me about a family facing a real crisis in their lives this Christmas and the prospect of moving into a shell of a house. That house is now a home on Christmas Eve thanks to the response from people in West Belfast and beyond. Thank you everyone! #Community #SolidarityNotCharity
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School Governors please take note - choosing to use expensive branded P.E kits is putting parents under real pressure before the new term. For 1 hour of P.E a week, a childs jersey comes in at a staggering £27 - yet it costs £3.50 for 2 plain polo shirts at local stores 👇
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Welcome sights and sounds from Casement Park this morning as diggers operate on the old pitch and stands as part of preparation work. This development will have such a positive impact on the lives of people in this area and beyond. It's time to push forward and get it built.
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Would there be so much opposition from people like Jim Allister or Sammy Wilson if a stadium to host the Euros was being built somewhere other than West Belfast? Somehow, I don’t think so. Casement Park WILL be built. What we need now is a greater urgency to have it ready on time for the Euros. Imagine on the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we are coming together in Belfast to celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world at Casement Park for Euro 2028. That should be our focus right now.
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Imagine on the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we are coming together in Belfast to celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world at Casement Park for Euro 2028.  Are we really prepared to let this go? We must keep fighting to make it happen.  The Executive can't remain silent on this any longer - they must step up and put greater pressure on the UK govt to deliver on commitments before it's too late.  #BuildCasement
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A final message before leaving Ukraine. I've seen some distressing scenes here. These people need our help. Our work will continue, with plans already in place to transport lorries from Belfast with further medical aid & items for disabled people fleeing/remaining in Ukraine. 🇺🇦
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Proud to stand with hundreds of people at City Hall this evening as we send a clear message that Belfast rejects racism. Solidarity with everyone who has been impacted by events in recent days. Not in our name.
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Solidarity from West Belfast on its way to Ukraine. Thanks everyone for the incredible support this week. 🇺🇦
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Over 15,000 of us took to the streets of Belfast today with a loud and clear message that there is no place for racism and hate here. Proud of our city.
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The last of the christmas dinners going out into the community now. Foodstock volunteers have reached hundreds of people sadly spending this time of year alone. Them taking the time to drop off meals, have a chat and wish people a merry christmas meant a lot to many. Thank you all for your tireless efforts today! #Community
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A welcome sight seeing diggers at work at Casement Park this afternoon. This ground, when completed, will mean so much to many of our young people who dream of playing here one day or coming to watch their sporting heroes. They have missed out for so long now. We owe it to them to get it over the line.
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600 people sadly spending Christmas alone this year are sitting down to a lovely turkey dinner right now thanks to people pulling together at Foodstock. Our thanks to volunteers for knocking on doors and spreading Christmas cheer and to the staff and owners of Lily's in Glenavy for their incredibly generous contribution of meals. What Christmas and community is all about! Have a great day everyone!
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Currently in Romania as our journey to bring aid to Ukraine from Belfast continues today.🇺🇦
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An honour to assist these brave Ukranian women today as we take vital medical aid delivered from West Belfast over the border to Ukraine. Solidarity 🇺🇦
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Signed in & ready to get to work at City Hall. I'm not here to make up the numbers - I'm here to deliver real change for people & families. It's the honour of my life to represent my community & city. Thank you for putting your trust in me, I won't let you down. #WestBelfast
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Huge thanks to @garysnowpatrol & @lightbodyfdn for providing @Foodstock__ with £10k to continue our work to support people. At a time when many out there are struggling and orgs like us are under pressure to reach everyone - this is an incredible gesture. We are forever grateful
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Yes. Contact me on 07794304259 and we can nip over with what she needs. Have some turkey hamper too
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Out on the Shankill replacing posters today after all of them were taken down. This can't go on. All parties here need to call out these actions and help put an end to this nonsense. I am here to represent everyone in West Belfast. #PeopleFirst @SDLPlive
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Thank you to the people of West Belfast for coming out in your thousands to vote for me yesterday. A truly incredible result with a massive increase gained. Proud to be able to represent this community each and every day. The work continues to make this a better place for all. #WestBelfast
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We will not allow discussion of genocide in Palestine to be shut down.
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More progress made at Casement today as floodlights are removed. Exciting to think of the world-class sport that will be showcased here on the A'town Road when this place is lit up once again! A real beacon of opportunity in the heart of West Belfast for people right across this city to enjoy.  Let's get it built!
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Glad to secure funding so that 120 schools in Belfast are now able to tackle child hunger by running schemes such as breakfast clubs, healthy snack times or free school dinners.  Long-term, we need universal #FreeSchoolMeals so that we remove hunger as a barrier to children's education for good. A key demand within our #RightToFood campaign - we will continue to fight to support every child reaching their potential.
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It is near impossible to get a taxi or a bus home at the end of the night in Belfast. 😡 How many will miss the end of a gig, leave friends early or not go out at all as a result? Too many! We need late night buses now! 🚌🚌🚌 ✍️Sign our petition: sdlp.ie/night_buses_for_belf…
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Day One of our Ukraine Appeal in West Belfast. A fantastic response from the community. Thank-you. 🇺🇦
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A 40ft lorry filled with aid is now on its way from West Belfast to the Romanian border with Ukraine. Malina Virtejanu & I will travel to meet this on Wednesday taking vital supplies to help those fleeing. Thanks to everyone who donated and worked hard to get this on the road. 🇺🇦
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It’s absolutely disgraceful that Nazi flags have been erected outside a mosque in the Dunmurry area of West Belfast. Solidarity to all those who worship at the Iqraa Mosque and School and praise to the many local residents who have quickly spoken out in anger against this.
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The view of Casement Park from my office this morning. Good to see work finally starting and a real buzz about the place. Look forward to seeing development of this world-class stadium in the coming years. This will be a fantastic asset not just for West Belfast, but for this city and the whole of the north. @SDLPlive
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The decision not to fund Casement Park in time for Euro 2028 is a huge missed opportunity for our city and the North as a whole. It would have created opportunity in one of our most deprived areas and memories to last a lifetime. Attention must now turn immediately to building Casement as a home for the GAA in Ulster.
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Thanks to the staff at Arizona in A'town for assisting our Asylum Seeker and Refugee Language Group as they ordered coffee as part of today's lesson (some for the very first time in English). It made for a really lovely day for all. #Community
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Back out in the community this morning. Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I am very proud to be your councillor. #WestBelfast #Community
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An incredible coming together of people in Belfast today in support of the Donohoe family. One voice, one message - #JusticeForNoahDonohoe 💙
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On the ground tonight at Broadway. All quiet at the Royal site and Park Centre. It’s disappointing to see attempts continuing to build the bonfire in the Village area, despite clear warnings about the risks to public safety – including serious concerns around asbestos and the proximity to the Royal hospital site. Any curious young people who turned up have been moved on, and I want to thank those working quietly behind the scenes to keep things calm – and the parents who’ve helped by keeping young people away. Leadership is about stepping up to protect our communities. This is a moment for responsibility – not recklessness.
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I am deeply concerned that two Palestine activists have been arrested during a peaceful protest outside Barclays Bank in Belfast this morning. Barclay's should rightfully be boycotted due to their financial ties with companies that supply weapons and military technology to Israel. I stand in full solidarity with these activists and call for them to be released without charge. It is not peaceful protestors who should be criminalised – it is those enabling and supporting genocide! 🇵🇸
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In the last few weeks alone, I have sadly met quite a lot of people considering giving up their pet due to struggling financially to feed them. Much of the time they are struggling to feed themselves. It's heartbreaking. 💔 We're not prepared to let that happen... 1/3
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A big honour to lead the Belfast Pride Parade today! 🏳️‍🌈 The energy, love, and solidarity across our city was incredible. Belfast at its very best. ❤️🌈 Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone! #BelfastPride2025 #NoGoingBack
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First council meeting at City Hall tonight. I look forward to serving my community and the people of Belfast for the next 4 years. @SDLPlive
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Children waking to no breakfast & parents at their wits end about what's for dinner tonight. That's the reality of what's happening in communities today. Our team at @Foodstock__ are out providing support & showing solidarity with the many being impacted. #SolidarityNotCharity
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Fantastic news today that the Irish Government will commit €50m to help build Casement Park. It's time the Executive and British Government now follow suit with contributions to allow this development to fully move forward.  There is a real sense of excitement in West Belfast since exploratory works started at Casement this week. It's clear how much it means to people here. We will continue to work hard to see this through and deliver a world-class stadium in the heart of our community which can be enjoyed by all.  @SDLPlive
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Finally getting a Guinness in 🍻 Hope everyone has a Happy New Year! See you in 2024 🎉
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Now officially a #LE23 candidate! 🗳 I truly believe that I can make a real difference in our communities by becoming a Belfast City Councillor and working hard every day to make this a better place for us all to live. With your help we can make it happen on May 18th!
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It was very humbling to speak as winner of the Unsung Hero Award at the #SpiritofNI launch in Belfast today. I am lucky to be alongside heroes in our community each & every day. They are the ones who selflessly turn up at @Foodstock__ & ask 'What can I do to help? #Community🤝
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Tonight at the Linfield v Cliftonville game, people came together to show solidarity and support local food banks and people in crisis in our communities right now. An incredible response. Thank-you🤝 #SolidarityNotCharity #Community
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Over 800 children and young people were kitted out with free school uniforms this summer at our Solidarity Hub in West Belfast. That's 800+ children whose families had some of that financial pressure lifted from them as a result of our community coming together and sharing preloved and new items. During this time I was very concerned to hear parents decribe being unable to send their children to school as a result of not being able to afford a uniform. No child should be missing out on their education due to these costs and it’s damning indictment of the Executive’s failure to tackle this issue.  Families shouldn't have to go through another summer of this.
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The scene at @Foodstock__ this evening... As parent, I'm finding it hard to watch as more families struggle to have a breakfast for children in the morning & a hot meal when they get home from school. Many parents are now going without themselves. How did we ever get to this?1/2
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Feel so humbled to receive a Special Recognition award from Families First NI tonight for work in the community. I really didn't expect this, thank you everyone. #Community #SolidarityNotCharity
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Really heartwarming to see so many looking out for neighbours and getting in touch with us about delivering a christmas dinner. Thank you #Community
On Christmas Eve, we will be out delivering hundreds of free cooked Christmas dinners throughout West Belfast. If you know someone on their own, an elderly or vulnerable neighbour or family member that would benefit from a Christmas dinner; please message / email me and our team at Foodstock will deliver to their door. 👇 📧 Paul.Doherty@FoodstockCharity.com 📱07794304259 This is what community is all about - looking out for one another. #Community #SolidarityNotCharity
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I am appealing to those who are thinking of coming out and causing further distrurbance again tonight to please stay at home. These acts of senseless violence only result in our communities suffering. It has to stop now. @SDLPlive
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West Belfast, I am officially now your candidate for the upcoming election! Proud to represent my community. Let's do this 💪 #WestBelfast #GE2024
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Already since 9am this morning, 43 children have been kitted out for the new term, leaving many parents relieved. We don't want these community initiatives to be the new norm each year, we want a government that works for people.
Over the weekend, I've talked with dozens of parents worried about not being able to put food on the table let alone afford school uniforms for the new term. No family should ever have to go through this stress. It's shocking that people have been left this way with no govt. 1/2
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Myself and @SeamasBelfast visited businesses in Sandy Row and Botanic impacted by yesterdays violence to show solidarity and support. We have called for an urgent meeting with police. Those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice.
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Stormont hasn't worked for West Belfast. I WILL. This Thursday, Vote Doherty #1 🗳
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We are just a small operation (based out of my garage) but thanks to the generosity of the people of West Belfast, we have been able to provide over 80 individuals and familes in the last week with supplies of food and essentials. A massive thanks to everyone who has donated! 1/2
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This is absolute madness. 5G mast on fire on the Andersonstown Road. At one point we thought it would collapse into the businesses directly next to it or the leisure centre. Fire services have secured the mast and extinguished the fire. This will no doubt have a further impact on the surrounding community in terms of connectivity of phone services. I am speaking with police who are currently investigating.
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This money will ensure that many children in schools across Belfast start their day with a healthy meal this winter. Increasing funding for breakfast clubs & free schools meals is a key part of our #RightToFood campaign. We'll keep fighting to tackle food poverty in our city.
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Another 5G mast seriously damaged tonight on the Glen Road in West Belfast. The impact? No phone or internet signal for thousands, businesses suffer and some of our most vulnerable residents unable to call for help in an emergency. It's a disgrace. We need to see arrests here and at the very least - some sort of security around these masts so that these headcases can't get near them. Enough is enough.
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Playing a few songs to kick-off an Alternative Eurovision tonight. Solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸 #BoycottEurovision2024
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From today, both @Paul_Mc_Cusker and I, and our teams at @Foodstock__ and the @pk_belfast, will work closely together with a shared focus on tackling poverty and homelessness in both our communities and right across the city.  #StrongerTogether
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Great to officially open my new constituency office on the Andytown Road this week. Here I will continue to work hard on behalf of the people of West Belfast. Get in touch if I can help.
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Thanks to Cliftonville F.C for helping us launch our Belfast-Ukraine solidarity jersey. 🇺🇦 The shirt was designed in conjunction with sportswear manufacturer O’Neills, with profits going to sending further aid to Ukraine. These are on-sale from Foodstock today!
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🇺🇦 Help Needed - Belfast 🇺🇦 We urgently need volunteers tonight / tomorrow to pack items for a lorry which is leaving Belfast on Monday to provide aid to people fleeing Ukraine. Large boxes & cellotape also needed for packing. Address is: 32 Townsend Street, Belfast BT13 2ES
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Beautiful snowy mountains through Romania this morning as we approach the border of Ukraine with a lorry full of aid. 🇺🇦 Thanks to our driver Pompilio for navigating through some really treacherous conditions.
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I don't just turn up at election time, I turn up all the time for the people of West Belfast. Proud to be selected to run in the upcoming election to represent my community. #WestBelfast #GE2024
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It's a late one tonight, but a lot of good came from our little hub in Andytown today. 327 was our number today. 327 homes we visited & supported with food & gifts so that people can enjoy Christmas. Our community did that - looking out for one another. We go again tomorrow..
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We will now have interpreters at hand at our preloved school uniform hub on Fridays & Saturdays to make things a little easier for asylum seeker families in the community. Lots of uniforms available for West Belfast schools. All welcome. #SolidarityNotCharity #OneCommunity
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Our volunteers are working day and night to make sure that everyone can celebrate Christmas and no one is left behind. We couldn't do any of this without YOU. People looking out for people - community solidarity. From everyone at @Foodstock__ Merry Christmas 🎄
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Shame on those MPs who supported the British Government's legacy bill today. Thoughts are with those families who once again are suffering as a result of further injustice. The Irish Government must step up now and bring a legal challenge to this bill. #BillofShame
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