Students raise over €1,000 in sleep-out for homeless

By Mary Dennehy

A GROUP of transition-year students staged a 24-hour sleep-out last Friday to raise awareness around Ireland’s “new face of homelessness” – young people and families.

Some 20 students from Holy Family Community School in Rathcoole braved the elements to raise awareness of homelessness among themselves, their peers and the wider community – especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Citywest resident and student, Emily Moore (16) told The Echo: “We wanted to raise awareness around the number of young people and young families that are now the new face of homelessness in Ireland.

“We slept out from 7.30pm last Friday to 8am the next morning . . . and it was a real eye-opener.

“It was very, very cold even though we were all prepared and were wearing layers.

“It was worse than I expected, but I kept thinking that I could go home after the sleep-out, have a shower, have some food, go to bed – people who are homeless don’t have that option.”

Emily added: “We all think that homelessness won’t happen to us, but it can happen to anyone.

“We all only stayed out for one night and realised how tough going it is, especially in the winter months and approaching Christmas.

“Alongside raising awareness among our community and peers, the sleep-out also raised money for Focus Ireland – and we expect to have raised around €1,000 for the charity when all of the money comes in.”

For more on Focus Ireland or to donate, visit www.focusireland.ie