Focus Ireland has officially launched its Christmas appeal to support people experiencing homelessness over the festive season.
On Thursday, Focus Ireland and Dublin City Council set up its Christmas tree. Focus Ireland is urging the public to donate to help children and families who are currently without a home or at risk.
It comes as recent that currently 3,991 children find themselves without a place to call home, reflecting an annual increase of 15 per cent. Supporting Focus Ireland, Theo Le Bon, 12 years old, said that it is "awful" to think that nearly 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas.
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He said: "Some are only babies and don’t have a home or even anywhere safe to play. I love being at home with my family and having friends over to spend time with them. I think that every child needs a home, and all children deserve to be happy and safe.
"We are here today to stand in solidarity with all children who are homeless and say to the Government and all the parties, they need to do a lot more to help end the child homelessness crisis."
7-year-old Aoife Mooney also vowed to support those experiencing homelessness this Christmas. She said: "It makes me so sad for anyone to be homeless and I can't imagine how hard it must be for children my age and even babies to not have a home.
"It's wrong and shouldn't be allowed to happen. My Christmas wish would be that every child should have a home to be happy and safe."
Focus Ireland's Director of Services, Ciara Carty, said that their Christmas appeal is its most important campaign of the year. She said: "With total homelessness figures exceeding 13,000 this Christmas, our Christmas Appeal will be our most important fundraising campaign of the year.
"Whether there are businesses, community groups, schools or individuals interested in joining our fight against homelessness, there is something for everyone to take part in and this holiday season. We urge the public and businesses alike to do what they can this Christmas for those in need .”
To donate, visit Focus Ireland's website.
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