Offaly charities to receive funding from Late Late Toy Show Appeal

The lives of children across Offaly will be improved in multiple ways through RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants announced today, which were made possible by the generosity of viewers of last November’s Late Late Toy Show.

A total of €3.6million was raised, which will transform the lives of 1.1 million children, young people, and their families across the island of Ireland, with every county benefiting from grants.

Four Offaly charities have received funding from this appeal organised by Community Foundation Ireland.

Offaly Domestic Violence Service has been awarded €10,000 to benefit 4,520 children. This includes the provision of play therapy for children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

Tullamore Community and Family Resource Centre has been awarded €11,000 to benefit 300 children. This includes access to play therapy and therapeutic interventions for low income families and children with additional needs.

Clara Community and Family Resource Centre has been awarded €14,000 to benefit 120 children. This includes funding to upscale the planet youth project by increasing the working hours and extending the duration of employment of a youth worker to one year to engage with marginalised teens.

Offaly Traveller Movement has been awarded €40,000 for the Travelling to Wellbeing Mental Health Service to extend its unique, Traveller-specific programme to address the critical mental health needs within the Traveller community.

Community Foundation Ireland is also supporting Offaly Traveller Movement alongside the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal which will increase the total funds awarded by an additional €80,000. This brings the total funds awarded to charities in Offaly to €155,000.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal began in 2020, and was inspired by the story of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh Co Galway, who won the hearts of the nation with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show. Saoirse sadly passed away in March of this year, and RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst today spoke of Saoirse’s enduring legacy with The Toy Show Appeal.

Kevin Bakhurst said: “The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is one of the most important things that we do as an organisation. We are so grateful for the support of our Late Late Toy Show audience whose generosity has ensured that RTÉ can continue to make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of children, and their families across the island, north and south.

“Children have always been the inspiration behind the Late Late Toy Show and have, in turn, inspired the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, not least, Saoirse Ruane who will be remembered as someone who made such a positive and lasting impact on us all. Her memory will live on through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the many young lives that will be transformed.”