Focus Ireland announce Innovate Wexford Park as host of Shine a Light Night 2019
Bord Gáis Energy announces sponsorship of Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light Night
The rate of homelessness in Wexford is increasing with 66 adults currently without a home. In response, Bord Gáis Energy has announced an extension of its longstanding partnership with homelessness charity, Focus Ireland, to sponsor its annual fundraising initiative – Shine A Light Night.
On Friday 18th October the 8th annual Shine A Light Night will see business leaders sleep-out at Innovate Wexford Park in addition to locations in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. Employees of businesses around Ireland can also sign up to support the initiative by pledging to fundraise and sleep-out at their workplace.
Shine A Light Night challenges business leaders across Ireland to sleep-out for one night and in doing so raise vital funds to help alleviate homelessness.
Speaking at the event, Michelle Monaghan, Focus Ireland Wexford said, “Focus Ireland works tirelessly with people experiencing homelessness to help them secure their home and to ensure they leave homelessness for good. We also work extensively across the area of prevention to make sure many other families and individuals never become homeless in the first place. We rely on the support of organisations like Bord Gáis Energy to make a success of fundraising events like Shine A Light Night and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their generous support.”
There are 1,700 families homeless in Ireland today and this number is growing. In Wexford, Focus Ireland provides housing support services for families and singles, support services for young people leaving care, short and long-term housing and Housing First.
Commenting at the launch of Shine A Light Night in Innovate Wexford Park Michelle O’Flynn Key Account Manager with Bord Gáis Energy said, “The current homeless crisis in towns and communities across Ireland is worse than ever. It is heart-breaking that 3,749 children in Ireland today have no home. Bord Gáis Energy are committed to supporting Focus Ireland in the crucial work it does to address the causes of homelessness and increase support for those who are at risk of losing their home.
Shine A Light Night is an incredible initiative that has gathered more and more support year on year. However, with the alarming rise in homelessness, we need this year’s event to be bigger than ever in raising vital funds to support this devastating social issue. We are extremely proud to sponsor this year’s campaign and as an official sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, we are delighted that Eanna Martin and Tom Dempsey are both joining us in supporting Shine A Light Night. We urge every business in Wexford and the surrounding region to join us, sign up and give one night to make this the most successful Shine A Light Night yet. It may simply be one night of your life, but it can save suffering for those who are homeless.”
To date, Shine A Light Night has raised over €4m for people experiencing homelessness in Ireland. In 2018, this support enabled Focus Ireland to help over 15,500 people. With the support of the business community, every day Focus Ireland moves a family out of homelessness into a secure home of their own.
For further information contact Cathryn O’Leary, South East Fundraising and Marketing Executive for Focus Ireland on 086 6042854 or cathryn.oleary@focusireland.ie To register to participate in Shine A Light Night 2019 visit www.focusireland.ie/shinealight