1 week Ago By Nick Rabbitts
A LIMERICK homelessness charity has received a boost on the eve of Christmas, with €30,000 raised at its flagship fundraiser in the city centre. Around 35 hardy souls braved arctic conditions in Limerick city centre on Saturday night/Sunday morning last for the annual Novas Christmas Sleep-Out which took place outside Brown Thomas in O’Connell Street. Dr Una Burns, Novas’s head of advocacy and communications, paid a tribute to those who did brave the elements, just 24 hours after Storm Darragh had passed over the country.
READ MORE: Irish Blood Transfusion Service announce details of festive clinics in Limerick “We were lucky Storm Darragh was Friday night, and we were out on Saturday night. But it was still bitterly cold. These were really difficult conditions for people to be out in.
It was wet. But everybody showed such immense generosity and we are so grateful for the people who spent the whole night on the street and are committed to doing this,” she said. Above: Sue and Maurice Quinlivan TD with Julie McKenna and Una Deasy Many people had been sponsored to take part in the sleep-out, which is designed to raise awareness of the problem of homelessness and the lack of housing provision.
Dr Burns said it is for this reason that those who did stay out were determined to last the course. “People had sponsored them to be there so they take it very seriously, and we are grateful for that. We've had people who have been sleeping out for years,” she added.
Among the supporters of the event were 1990s Limerick hurling star Ger Hegarty. He is the father of five-time All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winner Gearoid Hegarty. Other people came for parts of the evening to volunteer by shaking buckets, to perform and sing.
With the countdown to Christmas also on, Santa Claus also dropped in to visit and show support to the hardy fundraisers. Also last weekend, Novas were honoured at the National Volunteers Awards. This was for its street outreach team which provides support to homeless people 365 days a year.
Among other things, they provide a warm meal, coffee and a kind word of advice..
