This morning.
The launch of ‘The Big Busk for Focus Ireland ‘ on March 11 with Focus Ireland and Today FM calling on YOU (even if like Nick you can only play the spoons) to join the band and help fund ‘an end to homelessness’.
Present were Today FM ‘jocks’ from top: Pamela Joyce and Ray Foley; Dermot Whelan (left) and Dave Moore.
Bants level: high.
Register here.
Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
This afternoon.
Leinster House, Kildare Styreet, Dublin 2
The launch of a Focus Ireland campaign for UN World Children’s Day (tomorrow) calling for an end to child homelessness as a ‘first step in delivering the Government commitment to end homelessness by 2030’.
A petition has been set up here.
Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Above from left: Focus Ireland Chairperson Michael Layde, CEO Pat Dennigan and President and Founder Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy
This morning.
Wynn’s Hotel, Dublin 1.
The launch of Focus Ireland’s Annual Report, where the charity announced it rescued 1,829 households from homelessness while nearly 3,300 children were supported across their services.
Last night.
Unidentified location, Dublin.
Rory O’Connor, aka comedian Rory’s Stories, on behalf of Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy, launching Shine A Light Night on October 15, which calls on people to sleep out in their homes or gardens to help raise funds ‘to help end family homelessness in Ireland’.
Rory is featured (above) with a note written by a child experiencing homelessness in Ireland projected on the wall behind him. According to latest figures from Focus Ireland, 8,212 people are homeless in Ireland which includes 953 families and 2,189 children.
Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
This morning.
South William Street, Dublin 2
Broadcaster Mairead Ronan on a bed at Focus Ireland HQ in a space designed as a typical 12×12 foot hotel room showcasing what life is like for the 2,642 children living in emergency accommodation this Christmas.
At the window is Niamh Lambe, Family Services Manager, Focus Ireland who hopes the installation will help drive awareness and encourage donations.
Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
This afternoon.
Bar giant NolaClan (House Dublin, House Limerick and others) launches its first redeemable gift card – with 10% of sales donated to homeless chairty Focus Ireland.
Sinead writes
2020 has been a challenging one for all NolaClan venues but the team are busy planning an exciting 2021 with new plans, designs, concepts and menus for when we can all once again enjoy being social.
The gift card can be purchased at link below or on any of the venue websites with 10% of every sale being donated to Focus Ireland.
Special Launch Offer: From Wednesday, November 25 – Tuesday December 1… €100 for a €120 voucher…
Nova ‘jocks’, from left: Brent Pope, Lucy Kennedy, Ruth Scott and Colm Hayes
Dig deep, folks.
Tomorrow and Saturday, Radio Novais hosting its annual Help the Homeless Radiothon with the station dedicating its schedules over two full days to raise funds for the homeless.
Now in its fifth year, the charity drive is in association with Focus Ireland and listeners are encouraged to donate what they can for a good cause.
Over the weekend, all manner of celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, sport, music and politics will drop in to the studio.
Volunteers will be on hand in the station’s Docklands HQ to take calls from listeners all through Friday and Saturday.
Nick says: Don’t touch that dial!
Thanks Barry Hartigan
Above from left Elaine Ryan, Michelle Byrne and Fay White from Focus Ireland who helped deliver a petition with over 10,700 signatures
This afternoon.
Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Focus Ireland delivers a petition signed by over 10,700 people calling for a National Youth Homeless Strategy.
The number of 18-24 year-olds homeless has risen by 82% in just 4 years.
Focus Ireland has called on all political parties to include a commitment to a national Youth Homeless Strategy in their manifestos for the forthcoming General Election.
Previously: 10, 345
Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Focus Ireland launching its Annual Report.
Particularly shocking is the rise in child homelessness.
It’s shot up by 365% (Three hundred and sixty five) over the past five years. https://t.co/3tADDxuZaU
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) September 5, 2019
Three hundred and sixty-five per cent?
Meanwhile…
Focus Ireland has launched the following video as part of its campaign to highlight the problem of homelessness.
Out of Sight. Out of Mind. Just because you don’t see a child living on the streets, it doesn’t mean they’re not homeless. Did you know that almost 4,000 children in Ireland are living in emergency accommodation?
Visit: https://t.co/OL8eA2M7vJ pic.twitter.com/6b37BabKI5
— Focus Ireland (@FocusIreland) September 5, 2019
This morning.
Hueston Station, Dublin
Members of CÓRus choir fundraising for Focus Ireland who have teamed up with Iarnród Éireann to launch a new campaign to raise vital funds “to help more people to make it #HomeForChristmas”.
The campaign will see Iarnród Éireann provideonline option for the tens of thousands people a week buying a rail ticket to donate €2 to Focus Ireland.
Iarnród Éireann will also provide free advertising at stations nationwide for Focus Ireland along with allowing Christmas choirs to fundraise for the charity at a number of stations nationwide.
Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
