Public fundraising is vital to help emergency homeless services in the Shannonside region.
That's the view of Midlands Simon Community chair Mark Cooney who along with the Longford Rugby Club, launched a major new fundraiser last night.
The Midlands Simon Community was founded in 2003 with volunteers working to support individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness.
Longford Rugby Club have to come together with the group in to host a Sleep Out fundraising night.
The event will take place on April the 7th, Good Friday, and will see members of the community spreading awareness and raising money for the club and the local service.
Speaking at the launch, group chair Mark Cooney says the last two years have been tough for both service users and providers.
'Post Covid we're still suffering the consequences , the costs that were associated with that, because we obviously had to employ and engage extra staff ,move people out of accommodation for on a temporary basis, and it was all very difficult, so we are always looking for money but no more time than we are now.
So this is a most important function, it raises money, we are supported by the local authorities through central government, but a huge amount of our work is dependent on fundraising, it can't happen unless funds are raised, and events such as this are crucial to us.'
