Sleeping rough in Ballinamore to highlight issue of homelessness

Ballinamore Foróige club are proud to announce that they will be holding their annual sleep out again this year taking place on Saturday, March 16.

They will be sleeping rough beside the tourist office in the centre of town, from 9pm on March 16 until 7am on March 17.

The club are fundraising for the North West Simon Community and Focus Ireland.

Last week at their club meeting, Mary McKeon, a representative of the North West Simon Community, paid them a visit and informed them about the work of her organisation and particularly in the Leitrim area.

“We as a youth club feel strongly about the subject of homelessness and by holding this event, it’s our small contribution to a big issue,” said Lorna McKernon, PRO of Ballinamore Foróige Club.

According to the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government Homelessness Report of January 2019, there was 10 families and 52 adults registered as homeless in the north west from January 21 to 27.

Ballinamore Foróige are committed to assisting in the efforts to decrease this number and believe with the help and support of the local area this can be achieved.

They will be holding a bucket collection on the day of the sleep out beginning at 10am to add to their fundraising efforts.

All support is greatly appreciated and please, if you’re passing by on the night, stop and say hello!