Ciarán Riordan

I’m sleeping out against homelessness

For years, we've watched the homelessness crisis grow in Ireland. Each night, countless families face the heartbreak of uncertainty, and thousands of children are caught in the middle of it, forced to wonder where they'll sleep or if they'll ever have a place to truly call home. It's simply not right. This isn't something we have to accept; it is a question of political will, and choice. And we can’t, as a nation, allow this to continue.

So, on Friday 10 October, I’ll be joining my colleagues from Bord Gáis and sleeping out for Focus Ireland's Shine A Light, trading my cosy bed for a sleeping bag for the night. This will be my fifth time sleeping out and sadly, during that time, as the number of my colleagues sleeping out has increased so has the number of homeless families in Ireland. This isn't just about a single night of discomfort; it’s about raising absolutely critical funds for Focus Ireland to help them meet the growing demand for their services.

Every child deserves warmth, safety, and a place to call home. If you’re in a position to help, I would be deeply grateful if you could donate to my fundraising page. No amount is too small: every contribution brings us closer to ending family homelessness in Ireland. Your generosity can change lives and help give children the secure future they deserve.

Let’s show what our community can do when we come together. Please donate—and share this post to help spread the word. Thank you for making a real difference.