Business leaders sleep rough for charity

A group of Cork’s hardiest business leaders toughed-out the rain and the cold to sleep rough in Cork City Gaol last night to raise up to €400,000 for homeless charity Focus Ireland.

A total of 70 of Ireland’s top business leaders slept rough in Cork and Dublin to raise vital funds and awareness for the housing and homeless charity. Participants Sean Boyle, Aviva, John Moloney, Glanbia, Dan Kiely, Voxpro, Chris Martin, Architectural & Metal Systems, Siobhán Finn, Cork Innovates, Colin Jephson, Ardkeen Stores, Mary Hopkins, Hopkins Communications, Ernest Cantillon Electric, Anne-Marie O’Sullivan H+A Marketing, Michael Wall, Dawn Meats, Julia Lynes, EazyCity, Adrian Bartels, Cliff House Hotel, and Conor Healy, Cork Chamber of Commerce encompass all forms of business owners and leaders in their respective fields of hospitality, communications, manufacturing, electronics, and consumer goods, to name but a few.

The sleep-out is part of a campaign called “Shine A Light 2013” which got underway on Friday as recent figures show that up to seven new people become homeless every day in Dublin alone.

There has been a doubling of demand for Focus Ireland services in Cork and the charity has seen a 23% increase in the number of people seeking support over a two-year period — rising from 6,500 in 2011 to over 8,000 people last year.

Shine A Light collections are taking place with hundreds of volunteers out shaking buckets in Bandon Shopping Centre, Kent Train Station, Douglas Court Shopping Centre, Patrick Street, Wilton Shopping Centre, and The Market Square in Mallow. Alternatively you donate €2 by texting SHINE to 50300. 100% of your donation will go to Focus Ireland. Service provider Likecharity, 01 4433890.