Focus on Christmas – You Can Help

It’s December now, and the to-do lists abound. So much to do and only how many sleeps?

Does Christmas stress you out?

All the decorating and shopping, all the buying and getting and giving?

It can get overwhelming can’t it?

Need a dose of perspective?

6,847 people are homeless in Ireland – the latest figures are the highest ever recorded – 2,470 of those are children.

In June 2016, there were over 1000 families accessing emergency accommodation.

Sr. Stan launched Focus Ireland’s Christmas appeal ths year, speaking passionately of the terrible impact being homeless has on children – and families – as she said: “Christmas should be one of the happiest times of year for children and their families. However, it breaks my heart to think that up to 2,500 children will be homeless on Christmas day this year. I  know from meeting families who are homeless that we support it’s the children who feel it the worst. Many times a family who are homeless are often squeezed into one hotel room – 3 or 4 people in one room, nowhere to cook or for children to play.”

Focus Ireland’s lifeline services play a vital role in supporting people as Focus Ireland helping families secure homes and futures.

It’s something most of us don’t think about and can’t bear to even imagine.

If you’d like to donate to Focus Ireland to help them to directly support these families and work to prevent other families and single people from becoming homeless in the first place go to  www.focusireland.ie   or phone 1850 204 205. Every euro donated counts in the battle against homelessness and 89 cents of every euro received by the charity goes directly to services to support people who are homeless and those at risk.

This post is part of a Blog March by members of the Irish Parenting Bloggers network, to raise awareness of homelessness and Focus Ireland’s campaign. You can read more posts on the subject below or by following the hashtag #FocusOnChristmas on social media. Thank you.