Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has launched its Christmas fundraising appeal after what it has described as a very challenging year. The charity, which expects to support over 10,000 people in 2021, hopes to have its best year yet in securing new homes for people impacted by homelessness.
Peter McVerry Trust’s Christmas fundraising appeal is using the theme ‘Live Simply, Share Generously’, a quote from Fr Peter McVerry’s interview with Tommy Tiernan on RTÉ earlier in the year.
Stephen Kenny, the manager of the Irish men’s football team, launched the appeal at the charity’s latest social housing scheme a few hundred metres from the Aviva Stadium, on Haddington Road, where the charity has created 18 social housing apartments by refurbishing two vacant buildings. Tenants will now be moving into these homes in time for Christmas.
Quote from Stephen Kenny
Stephen Kenny said “I’m delighted to be able to help Peter and the Peter McVerry Trust launch their Christmas Fundraising Appeal this year. I have huge admiration for the work Peter McVerry Trust does with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities for many years. I sincerely hope that the public will come out and back this appeal so that the charity can raise the money it needs to continue to support people right across Ireland.
“I’m delighted to be able to launch the 2021 Christmas Fundraising appeal from the charity’s latest social housing project only minutes from the Aviva Stadium. These apartments are an example of how Peter McVerry Trust is delivering solutions to the challenges they and the people they support face on a daily basis.”
Quote from Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust
“Since the onset of the pandemic we have worked with more people than ever before, ensuring we have protected and supported those in our care to the best of our ability. We have also extended our supports and services to help individuals and groups that we have not previously engaged with while continuing to offer solutions. Fortunately, through initiatives such as Housing First we have been providing pathways to housing for those in need, helping thousands secure a home since the onset of the pandemic.
“This year we will work with over 10,000 people, a 20% increase on last year. Unfortunately, the fundraising environment has been incredibly challenging since the onset of Covid-19 in Ireland. We hope that the public will back us and help raise the funds needed to maintain the level of supports we offer to vulnerable people across Ireland.
“We know, and have seen first-hand over the years, the generosity of the Irish public and we hope that people who are in a position to donate and support this year’s Christmas appeal do so, whether it’s on an individual level, as a business, a group of employees or through community groups. We hope people will reflect on the simple message to ‘live simply and share generously’, as we need all the support we can get in the run up to Christmas.”
Quote from Fr Peter McVerry, Founder of Peter McVerry Trust
“We are delighted that Stephen Kenny has launched our Christmas Fundraising Appeal 2021. We know that Stephen has used his profile to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness on many occasions. We are grateful to him for giving up his time at such short notice as he approaches what is an exceptionally busy period for him.
“I hope that the public will support us in any way they can. We fully appreciate that many have faced incredibly difficult times and do so on a daily basis, as we see this in our work every day. However, for many in society they remain in a place of relative comfort and we hope that they appreciate the message in living simply and giving generously.”
The public can support the charity’s appeal by donating online or calling 01 823 0776.