This Incredible Charity Has Raised Over €170,000 To Combat Youth Homelessness Charities

This time of year can be tough for everyone. 

Between the pressures of spending money, loads of work, lack of sleep and forced socialising, it's no wonder that so many can feel the heat during the coldest time of the year. 

However, the pressures have been significantly lessened for the youth of this country dealing with life without a home as the One for Ireland campaign has raised a whopping €172,633 for charity, with the help of ambassador Shane Lowry. 

The funds were raised via the One For Ireland campaign which asked people to add €1 to their bills in shops all over Ireland on April 29 last. Retailers such as Spar, Eurospar, Londis, Mace XL, Applegreen, Fresh, Starbucks and many independent stores throughout the country took part in the campaign. 

Money was also donated online, via text and through ticket sales to the ‘Rock Against Homelessness’ concert in the Olympia Theatre. 

The campaign divided the country into eight regions and distributed the funds to the project in each region that has the greatest impact on youth homelessness - These were St Vincent De Paul (Midlands), Focus Ireland (Midwest) Galway Simon Community (Northwest), Dublin Simon Community (Dublin North), Barnardos (Dublin Central), Peter McVerry (Dublin South), Focus Ireland Waterford (Southeast) and Novas Initiatives (South).

The One for Ireland campaign was run in association with the independent charitable trust, the Irish Youth Foundation, who provided funding for the campaign. 

What a fantastic achievement. However, they're looking to do even better this year. This year, the team are looking to raise money for youth mental health services - an extremely topical subject of the coming year, showing Ireland's progression as a country. 

Looking to get involved? Check out their website for more details, and to donate just a euro or two.

It's really, really worth it. 

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