As 2013 draws to a close, we are looking ahead to 2014

when we will mark the 20th Anniversary of UN International Year of the Family in a number of ways, including at our annual Family Day Festival in Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on Sunday 18 May. Maybe you have some ideas about how to mark this anniversary too? Let us know and click here to find out more about what we're planning. It all starts with the broadcast of the radio documentary Cherish All The Children which charts our 41 year history and features many interesting interviewees including our brave founders. A moving and fascinating documentary, Cherish All The Children was produced by Hilary Fennell and will be broadcast on Sunday 29 December at 9am on Today FM. We hope you can listen in.

On Friday we welcomed the launch of the report Growing Up in a One-Parent Family: The Influence of Family Structure on Child Outcomes, a study by researchers at the University of Limerick using the Growing Up in Ireland data, published by the Family Support Agency. You can read our press release here and the full report here.

It was lovely last week to enjoy our annual Winter Party for current clients and their children in the beautiful surrounding of Dublin Castle. Master Magician Brian Daly captivated us all until Santa arrived to great excitement! The very generous staff of a number of companies supported our toy appeal this year to give Santa a hand in filling the One Family Grotto. We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to making our Winter Party the wonderful event it was.

One Family will be closed for the holidays from Tuesday 24 December to Wednesday 1 January, re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2014. The askonefamily lo-call helpline will also be closed during this time. Please click here for useful links or you might wish to read our Christmas Guide for One-Parent Families.

We would like to thank you for your support in 2013 and to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and New Year.