1,500 children in Ireland will be homeless this Christmas – here’s how you can help

Over 1,500 children in Ireland are currently homeless with their families and this number is rising every month. Shocking statistics, we're sure you'll agree.  At any given time 5,000 people in Ireland are living in an emergency hostel, B&B or hotel accommodation, or rough sleeping. Focus Ireland is the country's leading national charity working with families, children and young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Ireland is currently experiencing a national homeless crisis of unprecedented levels and Focus Ireland is at the frontline of this crisis every day. The charity has over 70 projects across Ireland providing support to those that need it. Its work includes outreach, warm meals, childcare services, advice and information and education services, along with safe and secure short and long-term housing. In 2014 alone, Focus Ireland supported over 11,500 people. Here's how you can help. On Friday December 18th at 8pm the Focus Ireland Christmas Concert will take place in Waterford's Christchurch Cathedral. Tickets are €15 (with festive refreshments included), and are available to buy at the ChristChurch Cathedral shop between 12 and 3pm, or on the night of the event. Eleanor McEvoy will headline the concert, with The Trinity Gospel Choir, Ashley Loftus from RTE's The Voice, tenor Dermot Doyle, and a whole host of other great artists on hand to perform throughout the night. Focus Ireland also have a range of shops around the country, raising valuable money to help them continue providing services to those who are disadvantaged. They already have stores in Malahide, Dublin and Douglas, Cork and are set to open their latest shop on Main Street Naas on December 3rd. Let's all do our part to support the least advantaged people in Ireland this Christmas. For more information about Focus Ireland click here and to donate head on over here.