The Law Society will host Focus Ireland’s annual homelessness fundraiser ‘Shine A Light Night Dublin’ at Blackhall Place this evening.

This is the eighth annual Shine A Light business leaders’ event, and the second time it will have been held at the Law Society’s campus at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.

Changing lives

The event calls on business leaders to join their peers and sleep-out for one night in support of Focus Ireland’s work in challenging homelessness and changing lives.

The charity is also calling on staff in companies nationwide to get teams together, fundraise collectively, and have a sleep-out or sleep-in at their workplace on the same night.

Focus Ireland helped a record 15,500 people who were either homeless or at risk last year, and the charity relies on key fundraising events such as Shine A Light Night to keep its services in operation.

4,000 children

The latest figures show that there are 10,338 people homeless across Ireland, including nearly 4,000 children who are homeless within families.

Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said: “Focus Ireland works tirelessly with people experiencing homelessness to help them secure their home, or to ensure they leave homelessness for good.”

“We also work extensively across the area of prevention to make sure many other families and individuals never become homeless in the first place. We rely on the support of the Law Society to make a success of fundraising events like Shine A Light Night, and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their generous support.”

Law Society Director General Ken Murphy added: "The Law Society is proud to support Focus Ireland by hosting the eighth annual Shine A Light Night at Blackhall Place tonight.

Easy decision

“The solicitors’ profession has long supported the fight against homelessness in Ireland and Kolkata through the Calcutta Run. It was an easy decision to lend the Law Society’s support to Focus Ireland and this worthy event again this year.” 

“Unfortunately, homelessness in Ireland is more prevalent than ever. We all must play our part in highlighting the issue and help alleviate the problem. Shine A Light Night is an opportunity to stand back and reflect on the daily challenges of homelessness faced by so many in the community,” he said.

“I am encouraging all managing partners and other business leaders to join us at the Law Society to show their support tonight by sleeping out as they raise funds for homeless people.”

“I commend Focus Ireland for their dedication to helping homeless people, as well as the business leaders around the country who are taking part in Shine A Light,” the director general concluded.

For more information on the event or to donate, visit: Shine A Light Night.