Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy are calling on Cork business leaders, companies, employees, and individuals to give up one night and sleep out on October 14th to raise funds for Focus Ireland’s vital services. According to the latest government figures, 10,492 people have been recorded to be in emergency accommodation in June 2022, making this year’s sleep-out more important than ever.
The demand for Focus Ireland’s services continues to increase . Since 2015, Bord Gáis Energy has been working closely with Focus Ireland to drive awareness of family homelessness and has sponsored Shine a Light Night since 2019.
Cork business leaders will be invited to sleep out at socially distanced events taking place at Spike Island. Companies can also sign up to support the initiative by pledging to fundraise and sleep out at their workplace.
Shine a Light Night was launched in October 2012 when a total of 55 Irish business leaders participated and supported the launch campaign by raising over €350,000 for Focus Ireland’s prevention services. This year, Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy aim to raise €1.5m during the fundraising campaign and surpass last year’s funds raised of approximately €1.25m, which will go directly towards services preventing families in Ireland from becoming homeless, whilst creating sustainable, long-term solutions to homelessness in Ireland.
Ciara Carty, Director of Services with Focus Ireland said:
“With homelessness numbers continuing to rise, and Shine a Light Night being our most important fundraising initiative each year, we call on business to continue their support of our homelessness services and take part. The business community in Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the vital homelessness services we provide, which we are truly grateful for. To reach our goal of €1.5 million, we are relying on the support of our corporate community.”
