Sleeping Flags fundraising event to take place in Athlone

The Sleeping Flags appeal is one fundraising event taking place in Athlone next month as part of Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) awareness campaign to highlight the need for funding to help homeless veterans of the Defence Forces.

The fundraising event will take place in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick as well as Athlone from 9am to 9pm on May 21, where Defence Forces veterans will return to the streets to bring awareness to the plight of homeless veterans and fundraise to support ONE’s services.

ONE provides accommodation and meals for 54 veterans, who would be homeless otherwise, in its four residential homes and is developing another home to bring its homeless accommodation to 60 bedrooms. It also has a network of Veteran Support Centres and Branches.

It costs approximately €1,000,000 per year for current services and an additional amount for capital funding depending on the projects being undertaken. While One is in receipt of state funding, a considerable amount must be raised including members subscriptions; donations; receipts for meals and accommodation; and national and local fundraising.

These homes have provided a safe, supportive place for over 1,000 veterans to date, with many of those suffering from depression, disabilities, and PTSD. These individuals have served the Tricolour with pride in conflict zones around the world, as the United Nation’s most distinguished peacekeepers. At home, they also served during The Troubles by ensuring the safety and stability of the country.

ONE Board Chairperson, Colm Campbell, said “90% of the veterans helped by ONE escape the cycle of homelessness and move on to permanent housing, while others need to remain in our homes indefinitely.”

As an independent charity ONE relies heavily on donations. With your help, they can keep their doors open and our country’s homeless veterans off the streets, now and in the future.

To donate to the Sleeping Flags appeal text ‘FLAG’ To 50300 or visit our one-veterans.org/sleeping-flags/

Texts cost €4 and ONE will receive a minimum of €3.60