TG4 presenters step out for Focus Ireland...
Posted by TalentBase News on May 30 2011 @ 13:00
TG4 presenters Sinéad Ni Loideain and Róisin Ní Thomain are calling on people nationwide to scale Ireland’s Highest Peak, Carrauntoohil. It’s a bid to help raise €50,000 in vital funds to support Focus Ireland’s work to combat and prevent homelessness.
Sinéad and Róisin are urging people to sign up - as an individual or by organising a team - to take part in Focus Ireland’s Highest Peak Challenge and climb the 3414ft of Carrauntoohil in Kerry on Saturday August 13th.
Sinéad said: “We are encouraging everyone ‘timpeall na tíre’ to give the Highest Peak Challenge a go! Focus Ireland urgently needs people to sign up and raise vital funds to help the charity tackle and prevent homelessness in Ireland. There is more demand for Focus Ireland’s services than ever before as more and more people are losing their jobs, having their incomes reduced and struggling to pay their mortgage or rent.”
Róisin added: “I was shocked to hear that a recent Focus Ireland survey found that nearly one in every eight people around the country think they will become homeless at some stage. It is vital that the support services are there to help the most vulnerable families and single people and prevent them from losing their home in the first place.”
Mark Mellett of Focus Ireland said: “Raising funds through events like the Focus Ireland Highest Peak challenge is more important now than ever as there’s a heavy demand on our services all over the country at the very time our funding is tighter than ever. Focus Ireland would not be in a position to provide this much needed support without the funds raised by people taking part in events like this one.”
This is the third year of the event which helps to fund the housing and homeless charity’s work supporting over 5,500 people through its services each year. The challenge also helps to support Focus Ireland’s work in providing a place to call home for over 650 households across Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin, Kilkenny and Sligo.
Focus Ireland works directly with people who are at risk of becoming homeless to prevent them from losing their home. The charity also works through its services to support people who are currently homeless to help them get back on their feet and in to a home - with support if required - so they don’t run the risk of becoming homeless again in the future.
Weather girl Sinéad joked: "We'll be doing our best at the weather desk in TG4 to make sure it's a nice sunny day on Saturday August 13th for everyone taking on the climb so they better make sure to pack their sun block!"
To sign up for the Highest Peak Challenge or to find out more about the Challenge Series, people can emailevents@focusireland.ie or phone 01-881 5900. Alternatively they can log on to www.focusireland.ie and click on the fundraising events section. Registration costs €100 and participants then raise €450.
Róisin said: “This challenge is particularly suited to first time climbers. Focus Ireland has organised a training and navigation day and will support individuals every step of the way! I would urge people of all levels to sign up to Focus Ireland’s Highest Peak challenge today to help make a difference to the lives of people who are homeless”
