Caroline Morahan teamed up with Radio NOVA yesterday to launch the station’s on-air ‘Help Homelessness Radiothon’ in aid of Focus Ireland’s work to tackle and prevent youth homelessness.
NOVA is set to turn over its airwaves this Wednesday and Thursday as the Dublin-based station hopes to raise up to €25,000 through donations from listeners and businesses across the Greater Dublin area. NOVA’s Radiothon will represent an urgent appeal for donations to help Focus Ireland’s vital work specifically in tackling the pressing problem of youth homelessness.
NOVA’s Kevin Branigan said: “The homeless and housing crisis deepened this winter, with more people than ever relying on the support of organisations like Focus Ireland. All of us here at NOVA want to make a real contribution and help to raise badly-need funding for vital ongoing projects. We intend to bring the human element of the crisis to the fore with our 132,000 listeners and ask for their help in raising much needed funds that will help Focus Ireland’s work to change lives.”
Mr. Branigan added: “Every cent donated during our Radiothon will go directly to Focus Ireland to help raise vital funds to help them support young people who are homeless and to prevent others from becoming homeless in the first place.”
Meanwhile, long-time supporter of Focus Ireland Caroline Morahan said: “This NOVA Radiothon is great and will help Focus Ireland’s work. The recession has hit people very hard in Ireland. Entire families who could never have imagined themselves homeless are on waiting lists for emergency accommodation and some of the most margnialised young people have become homeless. We can make a real difference. I would urge NOVA’s listeners to dig deep and phone in to pledge €25 as this would really help Focus Ireland’s vital work
Focus Ireland said that €25 will go directly towards helping Focus Ireland to provide safe accommodation and a hot meal a day for a full week for someone who is homeless.” Rachel Murphy, Public Fundraising Manager for Focus Ireland, concluded: “Focus Ireland is delighted to have the support of Radio Nova in its Help Homelessness Radiothon as we believe that youth homelessness is one of the most serious issues facing Irish society. We are working hard to prevent young people becoming homeless in the first place and help others to move on.
She said: “Our services work to ‘break the cycle’ by blocking recognised pathways into youth homelessness and support young people to move on to independent living. Young people must not end up being shifted from pillar to post as this results in broken lives which has led to tragedy for some young people and broken lives for many more.”
Radio NOVA broadcasts to Dublin, Kildare, Meath & Wicklow on 100.3FM. The station has 132,000 listeners throughout the Greater Dublin area.
Further information: Elaine Leonard — Radio Nova Ph: 01 524 11 00.
