Eight Limerick charities to benefit from the RTE Toy Show Appeal

RTE Toy Show Appeal will benefit more than 1.1 million children and families.

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ava O’Donoghue

Eight Limerick-based charities to receive over €570,000 from the RTE Toy Show appeal.

The RTE Toy Show Appeal was inspired by the generosity and bravery of Saoirse Ruane in November 2020 after she donated the extra money she received to pay for her prosthetic leg that was needed after a cancer diagnosis to other children who might need it.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

When Saoirse’s story was told, there was an overwhelming response to the call to donate over the course of the November weekend, raising over €6.6 million which will help an estimated 600,000 children from newborn to late teens.

Overwhelmed by the support in 2020, the RTE Toy Show Appeal returned for the 2021 Late Late Toy Show and an incredible 1.1 million families and children will benefit from the funds raised.

154 charities in Ireland will receive benefits and grants from the RTE Toy Show Appeal, up significantly from 55 charities last year and for the first time, at least one project in each county will benefit from the appeal.

Among the Limerick beneficiaries of the appeal is Exchange House Ireland which promotes equal opportunities for Travellers in areas of health, education, training, accommodation, and enterprise on a nationwide basis.

Doras, which works towards supporting refugee children and families in Limerick through a range of arts-based therapies and to document and share learnings from the initiative is among the beneficiaries, receiving €55,101.

Sing Ireland, which uses the transformative power of group singing to build self-esteem and social connection amongst disadvantaged children will receive €69,101.

Limerick Youth Service, which enhances the overall wellbeing and positive experience of families by setting solid wellbeing foundations to deliver a sustainable and supportive mental health and wellbeing programme will receive €65,000.

Croom Family Resource Centre, Blue Box Creative Learning Centre and the Butterfly Club will all receive funding also.

“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 the support, care, and encouragement that they need. We want to offer a huge thank you to every single person who donated. We were truly overwhelmed with the response,” Ryan Tubridy said.

For the full list of charities that will benefit from the appeal, go HERE

For more stories on charities, go HERE