Dear Reader
On Friday 13th October I will be leaving the comfort of my own home for one night to sleep-out on the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin City Centre, to "Shine a Light" on homelessness in Ireland.
I’m sure you don’t need a lecture from me to know that Ireland is facing a homelessness crisis. However, even I was shocked to realise that today there are over 7,500 people homeless in Ireland and that 1 in 3 is a child.
On a more personal note, I have seen the damage homelessness does to families and individuals in my own community, so I feel it is hugely important to support groups like Focus Ireland.
I’ve signed up for ‘Shine a Light Night’ so I can play my part in helping Focus Ireland provide vital prevention services and change people’s lives. This sleep out is absolutely an initiative I believe in, and I am incredibly proud to be taking part in it.
The team at Focus Ireland believe that homelessness can be ended – as do I – and so work to break the cycle of homelessness by giving people access to information, housing, childcare and a range of education services throughout Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, Clare and Wexford.
As a valued reader of Checkout Magazine I am now asking for your help. You can help to end and prevent homelessness in Ireland today by sponsoring me to take part in the sleep-out. I have committed to raise €5,000 by 13th October, please demonstrate your solidarity by sponsoring me today.
To sponsor me, visit my page HERE or send a cheque to me made payable to ‘Focus Ireland.’
Please give what you can as every donation is greatly appreciated; together we can help to change the homeless landscape across Ireland and be a part of the difference in people’s lives.
Also, if you are not in a position to sponsor me at the moment, please consider taking part in fundraising yourself when you can. If we work together as a community, I know we can make a huge difference in people’s lives.
To learn more about the Shine A Light Campaign, visit here.
Jenny Whelan
