An incredible €6.6m was raised by the people of Ireland during the Late Late Toy Show in November, and now, bosses in RTE have revealed where the money will go.
Half of the funds will be shared out between three key charities: Barnardos Ireland, Children’s Health Foundation Ireland, and Children’s Books Ireland.
Following an open call for grants which was managed by The Community Foundation for Ireland and Community Foundation Northern Ireland, the remaining €3m will to be split between 55 projects.
Some of these include, support services for homeless children in Galway through COPE Galway’s Helping Kids First programme, opening doors to a new generation of musical talent with Music Generation Cork, therapeutic support from The Donegal Rape Crisis Centre for young people who are survivors of sexual violence, providing clothing, footwear, school uniforms, and bedding for children in care with Kinship Care Northern Ireland and rural outreach mental health support for young people in County Limerick with Limerick Youth Services.
Commenting on the news, Ryan Tubridy said, “It’s going directly to children all over the island of Ireland who are going to have better, happier, safer and more creative, enriched and nourished lives because of these donations.
“Thank you once again to the viewers of The Late Late Show for your continued overwhelming generosity. The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal will be back again this year to help Change Children’s Lives for Good.”