Urgent appeal as homelessness rises
A homeless charity has this week made what it called an “urgent appeal” for donations as record numbers of children, families and individuals face Christmas without a home.
Focus Ireland has been supporting 42 families in Cork who were homeless or at risk of losing their home this year. There are currently 562 adults in emergency accommodation in Cork, according to latest Department of Housing figures and there are 207 children experiencing homelessness in the south-west region (Cork and Kerry).
Focus Ireland’s Children Can’t Wait appeal seeks to rally support for those affected by homelessness and raise awareness of the urgent need for safe, stable housing.
Supporting the charity’s Christmas appeal, double Olympic gold medal winning rower Fintan McCarthy from Skibbereen, called on the public to give what they can to help end homelessness. “It's shocking to know that more than 4,500 children will be homeless in Ireland this Christmas. It's a situation that simply shouldn't exist. I believe every child deserves a home, so that's why I'm supporting Focus Ireland in their mission to end homelessness.”
He added: “The solution to homelessness is a secure home for good, not just shelter for a night. Join me in helping the thousands of children and families who are without a home in Ireland this Christmas by giving what you can at focusireland.ie because children can't wait. Let's end homelessness.”
CEO of Focus Ireland, Pat Dennigan, said: “We believe that every child deserves a place to call home, especially during Christmas. Unfortunately the reality is that there are 4,645 children facing Christmas in emergency accommodation or, worse, living in hidden homelessness. That’s more than four and a half thousand young lives interrupted, facing obstacles they should never have to face, and it is heartbreaking to know that some of these children are just newborn babies and will be spending their first ever Christmas experiencing homelessness.”
Donations to Focus Ireland’s Christmas appeal will go directly towards supporting families facing homelessness, providing emergency accommodation, housing advice, and long-term housing solutions. To donate or to find out more about Focus Ireland’s Christmas appeal, visit focusireland.ie, phone on 01-8815900 or email help@focusireland.ie.