Four Offaly based organisations benefit from RTE Toy Show Appeal

FOUR Offaly based organisations are the recipients of funding as a result of  the RTE Toy Show Appeal.

The big winner in Offaly was Offaly Traveller Movement which benefited to the tune of €40,000. This will go towards the Travelling to Wellbeing Mental Health Service to extend their unique, traveller specific programme to address the critical mental health needs within the Traveller Community.

Offaly Domestic Violence Service received €10,000 for the provision of play therapy for children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre €11,000 for access to play therapy and therapeutic interventions for low income families and children with additional needs.

Clara Community Family resource Centre €14,000 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 and to include facilitation costs for the delivery of a diverse range of programmes.

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.

Announcing the grants, RTÉ Director General 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.”

Local projects and organisations in every county of Ireland will receive grants to help with a diverse range of needs including meeting basic needs like food and essentials, disability supports, creativity and play and bereavement support. Four grants of €75,000 have been awarded to organisations including Clara Community & Family Resource Centre, Offaly Domestic Violence Service and Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre. Community Foundation Ireland is supporting Offaly Traveller Movement alongside the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal which will increase the total funds awarded to charities in Offaly to €155,000.''