Offaly charities awarded over €30,000 from RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

Three Offaly charities have been awarded a whopping €30,000 between them from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the Community Foundation for Ireland.

Over 1.1 million children and their families will benefit from donations raised during the 2021 Late Late Toy Show Appeal. 154 charities are to receive grants, up from 55 last year, and for the first time, at least one project in every county will benefit.

Several organisations in Offaly will be benefitting from the donations:

Clara Community and Family Resource Centre CLG, which provides a number of themed activities and programmes for disadvantaged children and families to support them in the daily challenges of life, will receive €5,000

Foróige GYDP SUB Project, which is a community enhancement youth project through creativity and art mosaic, will receive €7,200

Offaly Down Syndrome Association, which provides respite to families whose child or children have Down Syndrome, will receive €18,000

Offaly Down Syndrome Association’s Grants Administrator, Ann Crombie says “We would like to thank the Community Foundation for Ireland and the RTE Toy Show Appeal for this amazing contribution, but most importantly to the viewers of the RTE Late Late Toy Show, without whom, none of this would be possible”.

The aim of this Respite project is to give some families in Offaly the chance to enjoy a family break together where they can bond and enjoy the fun and excitement of Centre Parcs in Longford.

Robbie Donnelly, Chairman of Offaly Down Syndrome Association said: “This fantastic opportunity doesn’t come our way every day, and our families are going to be over the moon with the chance of spending some well deserved respite in such an amazing location.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland, said: “Children, parents and amazing organisations are seeing the magic of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal turned into actions which will transform young lives. From addressing essential needs, improving wellbeing to supporting creativity and play the generosity of television viewers is bringing not only vital support but also colour and joy to children, families and to wider communities. Offering support and benefit to 1.1 million lives is an incredible achievement. It is one which every viewer in every county should be proud of.”

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland has announced today that the following four charities are to receive transformative grants of over €300,000.

Exchange House Ireland in Limerick which promotes equal opportunities for Travellers in areas of health, education, training, accommodation, and enterprise on a nationwide basis.

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in Galway which inspires all children regardless of geographic, economic, physical, intellectual, or cultural status to engage with the creative arts.

Spraoi agus Spórt in Donegal which provides affordable and inclusive opportunities, activities and experiences for children, families, young people, and adults.

Parents Plus which develops and delivers evidenced-based parenting, mental health, and educational interventions for vulnerable families.

The remainder of the donations will be split amongst 150 charities across the country including well-known organisations such as the Jack and Jill Foundation, Barnardos, Family Carers Ireland, the ISPCC, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Children’s Books Ireland, ARC Cancer Support Services and Oscars’ Kids Ireland.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is a designated fund to help a range of children’s charities and causes around Ireland, to be managed on RTÉ’s behalf by The Community Foundation for Ireland