The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal kicked off in 2020.
And year after year, the donations have just gotten more and more generous.
After the 2023 Toy Show €3.6 million was raised for children in need around the country.
Now it has been confirmed that the money will go to over one million children.
The lives of children across Ireland will be improved in multiple ways through 122 RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants.
Yes, 1.1 million children, young people and their families in Ireland will benefit from the grants, with every county on the island receiving a portion of the donations.
The grant was inspired by the story of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh Co Galway, who won the hearts of the nation with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show.
Saoirse sadly passed away in March of this year, and RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst today spoke of Saoirse’s enduring legacy with The Toy Show Appeal.
“The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is one of the most important things that we do as an organisation. We are so grateful for the support of our Late Late Toy Show audience whose generosity has ensured that RTÉ can continue to make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of children, and their families across the island, north and south,” Kevin said.
“Children have always been the inspiration behind the Late Late Toy Show and have, in turn, inspired the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, not least, Saoirse Ruane who will be remembered as someone who made such a positive and lasting impact on us all. Her memory will live on through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the many young lives that will be transformed.”
Five charities are to receive transformative grants of €120,000 each. These include The Offaly Traveller Movement, Crosscare, Community Law & Mediation, Children At Risk in Ireland CARI and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.
The remainder of the donations will be split amongst over a hundred charities across the island of Ireland by the Toy Show charity partner Community Foundation Ireland.
