Sisk has been announced as the new sponsor of Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light fundraising sleep out, strengthening its commitment to supporting children and families experiencing homelessness.

Taking place nationwide on Friday 9 October, on the eve of World Homelessness Day, Shine A Light calls on business leaders, companies, schools and communities to sleep out for one night and raise vital funds to support children and families without a home.

Focus Ireland aims to raise €1.2 million through this year’s campaign to support its frontline services, as demand continues to rise. There are currently 17,527 people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland, including 5,659 children. Children now account for more than one-third of all people experiencing homelessness.

For children, the impact of homelessness extends far beyond the lack of a permanent address. Research shows that children living in emergency accommodation are at increased risk of anxiety, developmental delays, and disrupted education. Families housed in emergency hubs often move between multiple temporary locations, leading to instability, isolation, and loss of community ties for parents and children.

The average stay in emergency accommodation for a family is now more than a year, with many families remaining in emergency accommodation for significantly longer.

Sisk has supported Focus Ireland’s work over the last seven years. Staff teams have embraced the Shine A Light challenge, hosting Workplace Sleep Outs at the company’s Citywest offices. As the new Shine A Light sponsor, Sisk is now encouraging its people, partners, customers and communities to unite to raise awareness and vital funds to support Focus Ireland and help families move out of homelessness and into secure, long-term homes.

Welcoming Sisk as a new corporate sponsor, Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sisk as a valued partner in our work to end homelessness. Their continued commitment through Shine A Light really shows what’s possible when businesses step up and get involved. The way they’ve embraced the Workplace Sleep Out has been hugely inspiring, setting a brilliant example of how teams can come together, make an impact, and truly live their values through corporate social responsibility. We’re excited to keep building on this partnership and achieve even more together through the next chapter of Shine A Light.”

Commenting on the announcement, Maura Toles, Sisk Group Company Secretary / Chief Legal Officer, said: “Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood, yet too many children are growing up without the security of a place to call home. At Sisk, we’re proud to support Focus Ireland in their work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This will be our third year hosting our Workplace Sleep Out in our Citywest Head Office with our team fully embracing the challenge and coming together to raise vital funds and awareness for those facing homelessness. It is a powerful experience that reinforces just how important this work is and deepened our commitment to this cause.

“At a time when too many children and families are experiencing homelessness, we’re committed to taking our support to the next level as sponsors of Shine A Light by rallying our people, partners and communities behind a shared goal: ensuring every child has the stability, security and opportunity that comes with having a place to call home.

“Homelessness is a challenge none of us can solve alone, but together we can make a real difference. Our message to other organisations is simple: get involved. When businesses come together and use their people, resources and influence to support Shine A Light, we can give more children and families the chance to leave homelessness behind forever.

“Through our support of Shine A Light, we’re helping to shine a light on family homelessness while backing services that provide children with opportunities to thrive. Our goal is not only to support families through crisis, but to help them achieve lasting stability and move into a home of their own. That’s why we’re committed to doing more and encouraging others to join us in making a difference.

“This October, we’re encouraging companies, community groups, schools, and individuals to join us and take part in Shine A Light. Together, we can help ensure more children have the support, stability, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.”

Maria Hurley, Group Purchasing Manager at Sisk, who has previously taken part in the sleepout said: “It’s a fantastic event, and hearing the stories from people who have been impacted by homelessness really brings home the difference the money raised can make. It shows how your support can help change lives for the better, giving people the opportunity to make a fresh start and have somewhere they can truly call home.

How to Get Involved in Shine A Light:

Focus Ireland is hosting Shine A Light sleep out events in Cork and Dublin on Friday 9 October. The events bring business leaders, companies, schools and communities together for one night of solidarity to help prevent homelessness and support children, families and individuals who urgently need a safe place to call home.

Groups and individuals can also sign up to ‘Host Your Own’ Shine A Light event.

Focus Ireland Shine A Light Events:

• Cork City Gaol – Business Leaders, Corporate & Community
• TU Dublin Grangegorman, Dublin – Corporate only
• Iveagh Gardens, Dublin – Business Leaders only

Community ‘Host Your Own’ Events:

• Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick – Community Sleep Out organised by the Limerick Shine A Light Volunteer Committee
• Sligo Rovers Football Club, Sligo – Community Sleep Out organised by volunteers
• Corporate, School & Community ‘Host Your Own’ events – organisations and groups nationwide can organise their own sleep out.

To register or learn more about Shine A Light, visit shinealight.focusireland.ie

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