Eleven charities working in Donegal will benefit from donations raised during the 2021 Late Late Toy Show Appeal.
In November, 1.8 million viewers raised over €6.6 million to support the work of registered children’s charities and community groups across Ireland, that will in turn help over 1 million children in the country.
The money donated will be used to support the work of registered children’s charities and community groups across Ireland.
Spraoi agus Sport’s Helen Nolan in Donegal. Spraoi agus Sport is one of 154 charities and community groups that has secured Toy Show Appeal funding.
Speaking on how the grant will be spent, Helen said: “We are going to have a purpose-built space for which to deliver all our parent and toddler groups, all our antenatal and post natal support. We’re going to have rooms that are available for counselling, for speech therapy and all the sort of support services. It’s going to be totally inclusive – so it is going to be designed with all our children with a disability in mind.”
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal announced that the following charities will receive over €670,000 in grants from the organisation:
- Spraoi agus Spórt was awarded €300,000 to develop a purpose-built Child and Family Hub in Carndonagh. They ensure all children and their families have access to a range of quality and diverse social, recreational and educational activities which are fully inclusive and which are at a reasonable cost in a fun safe and stimulating environment.
- Raphoe FRC was awarded €6,520 to provide targeted children in the community with wrap around service that enhances their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as their learning.
- Pastoral Centre Services was awarded €18,000 to increase the number of therapy sessions delivered to children and young people across the county.
- The Hygiene Bank Ireland gained €13,495 to embed the Schools Programme in all active Local Project areas, including Donegal, and provide ongoing support to family resource centres and shelters.
- County Sligo Youth Theatre was awarded €8,000 for frontline services and capacity through running four summer camps in June 2022. The camps will benefit young people in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
- Liquid Therapy was awarded €15,000 to increase our capacity by 25% and create a digital play folder. They provide one to one support for young people who wanted to experience surfing but where unable to participate in mainstream opportunities.
- Involve was awarded €48,548 for work in Meath, Mayo, Galway and Donegal. They provide afterschool and homework supports to young people from the Travelling community and other disadvantaged young people in their 6 youth projects through a programme called ‘Homework Space’.
- Donegal Domestic Violence Services was awarded €52,800 to increase safety for children who have experienced domestic abuse and have been court ordered to have access with an abusive parent.
- Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland was awarded €70,000. They train and place highly skilled autism assistance dogs who enable children to go out and about safely and reduce anxiety them and their family.
- Donegal Rape Crisis Centre gained €70,000 for Donegal based creative therapeutic support for young people aged 12- 18 and vulnerable 18+ clients who are survivors of sexual violence and their
families. - Cumann Naisiunta na gCor t/a Sing Ireland, also active in Donegal, was awarded €69,500 to support refugee children and their families.
Following the announcement, The Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy said: “The Irish public has simply blown us away with their generosity and kindness of spirit.
“The donations given will enrich the lives of children across our island who need it most to give them support, care and encouragement they need.”
Director-General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes commented: “The Late Late Toy Show is an evening where generations unite, and the country celebrates some incredible and inspirational children.
“The fact that this money will impact the lives of over 1.1 million children is phenomenal and we are very grateful to everyone who gave, which is what makes all these grants possible”.
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.
