Over one million children and families are set to benefit from the €6.6 million raised by the RTE Toy Show Appeal.
An audience of 1.8 million viewers helped raise the huge sum during the Late Late Toy Show last November to help change kids’ lives for the better.
RTE revealed the money raised will now be used to support the work of registered children’s charities and community groups across the island of Ireland.
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Some 154 charities are to receive grants, up from 55 last year, and for the first time at least one project in every county will benefit.
Speaking about the announcement, host Ryan Tubridy said: “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.”
Over the past number of months charities were invited to apply for a grant under three pillars — addressing essential needs from food to medical equipment; improving wellbeing including hospital and medical care, mental health supports and grief counselling; and creativity and play.
The RTE Toy Show Appeal in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland has announced that four charities are to receive transformative grants of more than €300,000.
These include Exchange House Ireland in Limerick, which promotes equal opportunities for Travellers in health, education, training, accommodation and enterprise nationwide.
Baboro International Arts Festival for Children in Galway inspires all children regardless of geographic, economic, physical, intellectual or cultural status to engage with creative arts.
Spraoi agus Sport in Donegal provides affordable and inclusive opportunities, activities and experiences for children, families, young people and adults.
Parents Plus, which develops and delivers evidenced-based parenting, mental health and educational interventions for vulnerable families is the fourth charity included.
The remainder of the donations will be split among 150 charities including well-known organisations like the Jack and Jill Foundation, Barnardos, Family Carers Ireland, the ISPCC, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Children’s Books Ireland, ARC Cancer Support Services and Oscars’ Kids Ireland.
Over £525,000 has been awarded to 14 charities and organisations in the North including Kids Together Belfast, Kinship Care Northern Ireland and Clonmore Youth Club.
Late Late Show producers Katherine Drohan and Jane Murphy said: “We are constantly inspired by children and with the unwavering generosity of TV viewers, RTE will continue to work to bring the magic of the Toy Show to every child in Ireland in order to change their lives for good.”
Director-General of RTE, Dee Forbes said: “The Late Late Toy Show is an evening where generations unite, and the country celebrates some incredible and inspirational children.
“Viewers once again responded to the call to give with extraordinary generosity, and those donations will make an enormous difference to the work of so many organisations.
“The fact that this money will impact the lives of over 1.1 million children is phenomenal and we are very grateful to everyone who gave.”
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