Focus Ireland to Shine a Light on homelessness with 2025 Limerick Community Sleep Out

Brian O’Leary, Crescent Shopping Centre Manager; Leah Melling, PRO of the organising committee; Cian Dalton, Community Fundraising Officer, Focus Ireland, Focus Ireland LEAP Ambassador James Flanagan; Alec Morrissey, Chairperson of the organising committee, and Lorraine Toner, Head of Community Fundraising at Focus Ireland, pictured at the launch of the 2025 Limerick Shine A Light Community Sleepout in the Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO

Limerick Shine A Light Committee launches 2025 Focus Ireland Community Sleep Out to support families experiencing homelessness

The Limerick Shine A Light Committee announced the launch of the Limerick Community Sleep Out, a local initiative aimed at raising vital funds and awareness for families experiencing homelessness.

This year, the Limerick Community Sleep Out will be featured as part of Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light, the nationwide sleep out, proudly supported by Bord Gáis Energy.

The committee are calling on individuals, groups and local businesses from communities throughout Limerick to join them and take on the challenge of the sleep out. This impactful event is scheduled for Friday October 10th, and will run concurrently with similar events nationwide, amplifying the urgent call to end homelessness for good.

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The launch was attended by Focus Ireland staff, LEAP (Lived Experience) Ambassador James Flanagan and Príomh-Comhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr. Catherine Slattery.

Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Alec Morrissey, said: “This marks our second year hosting the Limerick Community Sleep Out at this fantastic venue, and our ambition for 2025 is greater than ever. We are aiming to raise significant funds, knowing that every euro will directly support families in desperate need.”

Príomh-Comhairleoir, Cllr. Catherine Slattery, said: “Homelessness is not just about statistics, it is a human story, and we all have a role in changing the ending. Let’s use this time to educate, advocate, and prepare for a powerful night of solidarity and support.”

Brian O’Leary, Centre Manager for the Crescent Shopping Centre, said: “We here at Crescent Shopping Centre are delighted to once again support Focus Ireland with their Shine A Light sleep out.

We believe this event is so important, not only to raise much needed funds as Focus Ireland continue their work in tackling homelessness but also to make the public aware of the plight facing so many vulnerable families in Ireland in 2025.

We would encourage the community to come out and support this event on the night.”

The statistics are stark and serve as a powerful reminder of why Shine A Light is needed. Currently, 15,747 people are experiencing homelessness in Ireland, a staggering figure that includes 4,844 children and 2,273 families. In Limerick, 505 adults sought access to emergency accommodation in May alone, and 145 families in the Mid-West are without a home.

The Limerick Community Sleep Out offers a tangible way for everyone to contribute to a solution. While Shine A Light is about raising the absolutely vital funds Focus Ireland need to support and expand their nationwide services to meet the ever-growing demand, it’s also about much more. It’s about making a powerful, undeniable statement: having thousands of children without a home in Ireland is simply unacceptable.

For more information on how to sign up to the Limerick Community Sleep Out, or host your own sleep out, visit shinealight.focusireland.ie