Sligo Rovers have announced that the Showgrounds will again host a sleep out
against homelessness in partnership with Focus Ireland on Friday October
10th . The annual Shine A Light event will see clubs, businesses, and
community groups across the country host sleepouts to help raise critical
funds for Focus Ireland, a national organisation tackling homelessness in
Ireland.
The number of homeless people in Ireland has climbed to a record high of
16,300, including more than 5,100 children. These figures do not include
rough-sleepers, people in domestic violence refuges, or the “hidden
homeless” such as those sofa surfing. The most recent report from the
Department of Housing in August this year recorded 175 adults and 212
children in emergency accommodation in the west with 228 adults and 250
children recorded in the north west.
People across the country will be taking part in the Shine A Light
sleepouts, trading their comfortable beds for sleeping bags outdoors in
solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. This one-night event aims
to raise awareness, and much needed funds, to support over 16,000 people
currently experiencing homelessness across the country. Focus Ireland
annually delivers more than 100 services across the country supporting over
18,000 people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Demand for the
charity’s services is at an all-time high and funding support is needed
now more than ever. Record numbers of children are now experiencing
homelessness and do not have a safe place to call home.
Sligo Rovers FSR Officer Jamie Murphy said “There are individuals and
families from all communities and walks of life that experience or are
impacted by homelessness. It is something that without doubt has impacted
some of our supporters. As a community club its hugely important for us that
we can try and raise awareness about the issue and some critical funds for
Focus Ireland who do such important work in supporting families and
individuals across the region and the country as a whole”
People can make a donation or sign up to take part in the link below
https://joinus.focusireland.ie/fundraisers/sligoroversshinealightsleepout
For more information contact fsr@sligorovers.com
