Shock as Limavady charity shop to close after threats

A County Derry charity is closing its doors after receiving a number of alleged threats, it has emerged.

The Kindness of Strangers charity shop in Limavady announced the news of their closure on social media over the weekend.
The charity said it was closing due to a number of threats and social media backlash following a incident with a woman sleeping in the doorway of the shop last Thursday and Friday.

In the post, Kindness of Strangers Limavady said all offers of help had been rebuffed by the woman and at no point did anyone from the shop “touch, interfere with or move this woman’s belongings”.

The post stated: “On the 4th December 2024 we received a message at 8am about a woman in the doorway of our shop. When we arrive at the shop the Police are there. We don’t get involved because we have no clue what is going on. However, from what we can see the Police are dealing with it. A short time later the woman leaves the doorway of the shop and we don’t see her for the remainder of the day.

“At around 7pm the same evening we got another message telling us of a woman lying on the doorway of our shop. We get in a van and go to the shop. We advise the woman that she cannot sleep in the doorway, not because we were moving her on, but because it isn’t safe. We advise the woman that there is a bar two doors down and that we would be fearful of something bad happening to her. The woman tells us that she is fine where she is and tells us to mind our own business. We tell the woman that we will pay for a bed and breakfast and reiterate that it is not safe for her to be lying out on the street on her own. The woman declines our offer and tells us to go away.

“The following morning (Thursday, December 5) two women were outside speaking to the woman who had been lying in our doorway. One lady asks us if we can help. We advise the lady that we have offered to help and that we have just given the woman the number and address of the Housing Executive in Limavady. We also advise that we have spoken to EK Properties and that they have offered the woman accommodation free of charge and left the front door of a house open if the woman wants it.

“The following morning (Friday, December 6) we made a 999 call in relation to several incidents. In response to these incidents we made the decision to put the shutter down of our shop.

“At no stage ever over the space of the two days did we touch, interfere with or move this woman’s belongings. The woman was asked by the Police to lift her belongings which she did by moving them further up the street and taking other belongings with her.”

It is believed that there is no paramilitary involved behind the threats.

Limavady DUP councillor Steven Callaghan described the closure of the Kindness of Strangers charity shop as an 'awful disgrace'.

Alderman Callaghan said: “A homeless woman had been sleeping in the doorway of this charity. Local people, other charities and the police had done her best to help with the situation.

“One of the local estate agents had only offered the woman accommodation and she had refused it.

“From what I'm led to believe is that there was a social media campaign over the weekend complaining about it as a result the management of the charity has decided to close the shop.

“I think it is an awful disgrace that this shop has been forced to close. I know the charity does great work for children in the local area. They have put in a fantastic effort in the community. I believe they attended an awards dinner last week for the work they do.

“I think this situation was completely out of the charities control. They have a lot of plans to help children in the run up to Christmas. It is sad that this charity is under fire from keyboard warriors.

“I believe the police have been working with the Housing Executive to get this woman sorted.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police attended a concern for the safety of a woman in Linen Hall Street, Limavady on Friday morning, December 6th. No further police action was required.”

The charity has confirmed that despite closing it will continue to support a number of families it has been helping.
““We will still support 98 local children on our Christmas Wishing Tree and the three special cases we have taken on in the Limavady area.”

The owners of the store also thanked the Limavady community for their support over the past five years.
““We have loved the time we have spent in Limavegas and we can honestly say, hand on heart, that we have never come across such amazing people ever. Without you we would not have been able to reach out to and support children and families who have been difficult to engage and we definitely would not have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of children who have experienced so much trauma and loss. Thank you for taking children in kinship care to your heart!”