WATCH Bus Éireann and TFI ‘Fill a Bus’ for Mid West Simon this Christmas 2024

Mid West Simon Community is teaming up with Bus Éireann and Transport for Ireland for the return of their ‘Fill a Bus’ initiative for Christmas 2024. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Bus Éireann and Transport For Ireland brought their ‘Fill a Bus’ initiative back to Dunnes Stores Childer’s Road for Mid West Simon this Christmas 2024

Bus Éireann and Transport for Ireland hosted their annual Fill A Bus initiative at Dunnes Stores on Childers Road this Tuesday, December 17 in aid of Mid West Simon Community to help those in need this Christmas season.

The ‘Fill a Bus’ event aims to collect food, vouchers, and gifts to support individuals and families impacted by homelessness and poverty in the MidWest Region during what is a difficult time of year for many families.

Paul O’Sullivan, Fundraising Coordinator with Mid West Simon Community explained the support from Bus Eireann is “massive” noting the initiative at Christmas time in particular is very welcome with Paul saying, “Every little helps at Christmas, obviously the cost of living has gone up and people’s pockets are stretched.”

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A local resident who stopped by to make a donation and help fill the bus, Geraldine Lenane was very empathetic with the cause, she said, “I feel they’re down and out and just terrible. Where I’m living, there’s a homeless man up in the green, just one, but the authorities know, and we keep an eye on him, it’s all we can do when they’re down and out.”

Geraldine then posed a question which will make many people reflect on the situation, saying, “It could be some of our children someday, couldn’t it? We’re very lucky. When I do my next shop, I’ll put in some again if the bus is still there.”

Marie from Bus Éireann and Transport For Ireland explained the group “enjoy doing it every year” and emphasised the importance of the initiative.

She said, “It’s a wonderful partnership with Midwest Simon. It’s worked out great since we started several years back and people are really generous here today at Childer’s Road and Dunnes Stores, it’s an opportunity for us to give back to our local community.”

Marie explained the increase in the cost of living has impacted many people, and the Fill a Bus initiative aims to help with that, she said, “It’s a chance to really help out the local community, and people are in need this time of year. The cost of living has gone crazy and people really are grateful that we’re here and it’s an opportunity for people to come up to the bus.

“They might be thinking about donating, they’d like to do something for Christmas, we’re here with the bus today, we make it easy for people while they’re shopping in Dunnes Stores.”

This holiday season, your generosity can help Mid West Simon continue providing vital services such as Emergency and Transitional Accommodation helping to support individuals and families every day of the year as they transition out of homelessness.

As well as Permanent Housing which offers stable, safe homes with a wraparound support service for sustained independence; Food Banks deliver essential food items to everyone in need across the Midwest; and Tenancy Sustainment & Support Services provides practical outreach assistance in managing homes and connecting to health and education services.