21 September 2019
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Spike Island lends itself to highlighting just how isolating life can be for people who are homeless or in danger of falling into homelessness.
Shine A Light Night 2019, proudly supported by Bord Gais Energy is only four weeks away with the Business Leaders Sleep Out this year being staged on Spike Island. The spectacular Cork Harbour setting, Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction last year, is supporting Focus Ireland’s fight against homelessness on October 18, and the people of Cork can take part too.
Leigh Delaney, Cork Chamber
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
Lisa Costelloe; Noreen Walsh; Julie Moloney; Louise Desmond and Sinéad Collins, AIB South Mall
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
The Focus Ireland organised evening was held in the AIB on South Mall on the 19th September . Speakers at the event included Ger Spillane, Regional Manager Focus Ireland, John Crotty , Spike Island Manager with the evening mcc’d by Dick White, Focus Ireland.
Speaking on the night, Focus Ireland Regional Manager Ger Spillane stated “Focus Ireland is delighted that the Business Community of Cork is coming together for one night to help raise €1 million to reach more families, who need their help, more than ever before. By sleeping out for one night, you can help change the life of a man, woman or child experiencing homelessness locally.”
Cork Shine a Light Night participants will be transported from Cobh to Spike Island on the night of the 18th. John Crotty, Manager of Spike Island, is full of enthusiasm for the event and stated “I feel that our location lends itself to highlighting just how isolating life can be for people who are homeless or in danger of falling into homelessness”
The evening presented participating business people an opportunity to be briefed on the work of Focus Ireland and to be updated on Shine a Light. Dick White of Focus Ireland explained “ Shine a Light builds awareness of the work we do, highlights the issue of homelessness and generates an income stream to deliver our services. To do this we need the continued backing of Cork people and business who have already been hugely supportive. Crucially 89 cent of every 1 euro we spend goes directly back into the services we deliver. ”
There are three ways to take part in Shine A Light Night 2019..
• The Business Leaders event is being held on Spike Island on Friday, October 18.
• You can also get your team together and organise Shine A Light at Work by hosting a workplace Sleep Out, to raise awareness and generate funds for essential local Focus Ireland services.
• Shine A Light in the Community gives the option to the wider community to organise an event in your local park, club, town or village.
Shine a Light Night is a fully organised Focus Ireland event and proudly supported by Bord Gais Energy. All participants will receive fundriaisng support, materials and advice. To register today or for further information please contact Dick White (dick.white@focusireland.ie or 086 8223690), or register on Focusireland.ie/shinealight .
Dick White, Focus Ireland
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
Manager of Spike Island tourism attraction. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
Ger Spillane, Focus Ireland
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
Pictured at the 2019 Business Leaders’ information Session held by Focus Ireland at AIB South Mall in advance of their 2019 Shine a Light Sleep out event which will be held on October 18th at Spike Island to raise money to combat homelessness. Shine A Light Night 2019 is proudly supported by Bord Gais Energy
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
For More info, please contact Dick.white@focusireland.ie
Una O’Grady, Arup and Brid Sheehan, Gas Networks Ireland
Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO
