One for Ireland campaign to raise funds for Tipperary’s homeless youth

One for Ireland will take place this May Bank Holiday weekend (4 – 7th May) and the Irish Youth Foundation campaign is calling on people to add one euro to their bill when they pay at the till in aid of youth homelessness. Funds donated throughout Tipperary this upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend will support the families attending the Barnardos Thurles Service for young people affected by the housing crisis.
 
Speaking about the initiative, Niall McLoughlin, CEO, Irish Youth Foundation, added: “We are calling on people to donate €1 at the till when they are shopping in one of the 800 participant One For Ireland retailers across the country over the Bank Holiday weekend.”
 
Retailers who have signed up include Spar, XL, Mace, Applegreen, Starbucks, Fresh and pharmacies all over the country. The Irish Youth Foundation is still encouraging more retailers to join the campaign. All funds donated will be used to improve the lives of homeless children and young people living in the donor’s area. The seven charity beneficiaries include Focus Ireland, The Simon Community, Irish Refugee Council, Sonas Domestic Violence Charity, Barnardos, Novas and Merchant’s Quay Ireland.
 
At the end of December 2017 there were 818 young people (under 25 years) living in emergency, homeless accommodation. By the end of February 2018 this figure had increased to 938 young people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland. This represents a 14% increase in just two months (Figures are taken from the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government Homeless Report, February 2018).