Focus Ireland launched a new campaign today which makes an urgent appeal for public donations to help fund the charity’s vital work tackling the growing homeless crisis with four weeks left to Christmas.
The hard-hitting campaign highlights the stark fact that over 800 children and their families became homeless in the first 10 months of this year – a shocking total of 45 families lost their home last month in Dublin alone and were forced into homelessness. The crisis is also now developing in other cities around the country as more people are struggling to keep a rough over their head.
Focus Ireland also warned that new figures which report the number of people rough sleeping in Dublin have shot up 20% since last year show the homeless crisis is sadly still deepening.
The new campaign features radio and outdoor ads and is fronted by Focus Ireland Life President and Founder Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy. The outdoor billboard ad features a quote from Sr. Stan which highlights the terrible impact being homeless has on children as she said: “It’s the children who feel it the worst.”
Sr. Stan said: “It would break your heart to see where many children and their families who are homeless are being forced to stay. Losing a home is more than a family can bear. Some families who are homeless are squeezed into tiny hotel rooms – 5 or 6 people in one room, nowhere to cook or for children to play. And it’s not just families. There are many single people and couples who are homeless as well and they all need a place to call home.”
She said: “Focus Ireland is working hard to support these families and we really depend on donations at this time of year to raise vital funds to make sure our services can cope with the great demand. I am asking people to please give what they can afford to support our urgent Christmas appeal. Any donation will help us to directly support these families and also help fund our work to prevent other families and single people from becoming homeless in the first place. People can donate at www.focusireland.ie or 1850 204 205."
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RTE News Report Sunday 23rd November