FOCUS Ireland has appealed for Limerick secondary school students to take part in its annual ‘Schoolmates Sleepover’ fundraising event.

The October 17 event—which aims to raise €45,000 to help fund the charity's work to combat and prevent homelessness—was recently launched by Irish band, The Blizzards.

Lead singer, Niall Breslin, said that the sleepover “is a great way for young people to get involved and play an important role in highlighting and solving the pressing social problem of homelessness and we are glad to help out in any way we can to encourage people to sign up”.

“Every year young people across the country become homeless. Some experience problems at home, others become homeless when they leave State care. The bottom line is that none of these young people should be homeless and they need support.  Focus Ireland plays an important role in supporting people,” he added.

Students simply have to set up a team and organise a sponsored sleepover in one of their homes, at friend’s home or in their school hall to take part in the charity fundraiser event.

Teams of any number can register at www.focusireland.ie or by contacting their school’s CSPE teacher while the team that raises the most amount of money will win two computers for their school. 

This is the fourth year of the event which has, to date, raised over €95,000 and last year nearly 1,000 students from 70 schools across the country took part.