Off to the ball

The Cork Simon Annual Fundraising Ball is set to raise up to €100,000 as it returns for its 19th year.

Taking place this Friday 12 April at Fota Island Resort, the event will be attended by over 300 corporate guests.

Organised by a voluntary fundraising committee, special guests will include broadcaster and journalist Jonathan Healy as master of ceremonies and Après Match’s Barry Murphy will provide the entertainment on the night.

The funds raised by the ball will go towards supporting people affected by homelessness in Cork. According to the most recent Department of Housing figures, 401 people accessed emergency accommodation in Cork in February, highlighting the urgent need for Cork Simon’s services.

Director of Cork Simon, Dermot Kavanagh, said: “Last year we provided emergency accommodation to more people than ever before - over 400 men and women were pushed into homelessness because they couldn’t find a place they could afford to call home. The generous support we receive from the business community here in Cork makes it possible for us to stick with every man and woman turning to us for help, for as long as it takes, as they work to leave homelessness behind them. It’s a life changing collaboration.”