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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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Foyle Network Foundation, Community Restorative Justice, APEX, ASK Advice Service, Skeoge Community Hub, Derry, Waterside & Pennyburn Credit Unions & Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr.
With just 29 days left until Christmas, local organisations in Derry have joined forces to highlight the importance of what they describe as ‘Responsible Lending, Responsible Spending’.
Over the last few months, Foyle Network Foundation, Community Restorative Justice, APEX, ASK Advice Service, Skeoge Community Hub, Derry, and Waterside and Pennyburn Credit Unions, have been working together on their concerns around illegal and high interest lenders.
Speaking to The Derry News, Karen Mullan, director of Foyle Network Foundation said: “We have seen an increase in people who are struggling with rising household costs accessing loans from unreputable bodies and being charged extortionate high interest rates. This is pushing them further into debt and poverty.”
Joan Gallagher, the CEO of Derry Credit Union said the Credit Union was “delighted to be associated with the ‘Responsible Lending, Responsible Spending’ campaign.
“Our credit union can help you plan your Christmas spending, enjoy the festive season and ensure that the cost of Christmas 2024 is not a burden and an additional worry in the new year,” said Ms Gallagher.
A spokesperson for Pennyburn Credit Union said it was also “proud to join with Foyle Network Foundation and local groups to advocate for Responsible Lending and Responsible Spending”.
“Our priority is to empower members with safe, ethical lending choices. We’re proud to support this campaign and bring awareness to the risks of harmful money lending, especially as we head into the holiday season, when financial pressures can be overwhelming,” said the spokesperson.
“We encourage anyone who has been impacted by harmful and/or high-cost lending to consider the Credit Unions as their lender of choice.”
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Lilllian Seenoi Barr helped the groups to launch the billboard campaign for ‘Responsible Lending, Responsible Spending’.
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