Irish TV star Angela Scanlon is helping to raise funds for Focus Ireland as she has designed a special one-off print that would make a perfect Christmas present

Angela – who has worked on top BBC shows including Robot Wars and the One Show – collaborated with Dusty Boy Designs and designed a one-off print with 100% of the profits going to Focus Ireland.

The BBC presenter told how she was moved to do something to help after she was touched in particular by the deepening child homelessness crisis in Ireland

She said: “Today there are a record number of over 3,000 children homeless in Ireland. Rising rents and government inaction means that we have failed, but Focus Ireland are working tirelessly to help vulnerable children and their families have the safety, shelter and hope they deserve.”

There are a record number of 3,194 children now homeless which makes up almost 40% of the total number of over 8,000 people who are homeless in Ireland.

Angela said she came up with the idea of collaborating with Dusty Boy to design a simple message which will make for a perfect gift, and also help support Focus Ireland’s work to prevent families from falling into homelessness this Christmas.

Angela explained: “I have worked with Dusty Boy on lots of personal projects over the years and adore what they do. At the heart of their brand is a desire to help people create a home where they feel safe and inspired, to spread positivity.”

Focus Ireland supports over 13,500 people each year that are homeless or at risk of losing their home. The charity also provides over 820 homes nationwide. Focus Ireland has also managed to support over 700 families to secure a home so far this year.

Angela added: “The ‘Thank You, Thank You’ Design is a simple message to remind us to be grateful for all we have and to show kindness to those less fortunate.”

Focus Ireland Advocacy Manager Roughan Mac Namara said: “We are so thankful to Angela and Dusty Boy Designs for coming up with this great idea to help raise vital funds to support our work while also spreading a nice positive message thought their “Thank You” print design which they sold online.”

He added: “It would be great if people bought this nice print as a way to say thank you to someone this Christmas and at the same time they’ll be helping to support the work of Focus Ireland challenging homelessness and changing lives.”

Focus Ireland said it works in partnership with the State and local authorities nationwide to deliver services and housing but stressed that it has to raise at least 40% of its annual budget to enable the charity to meet the constantly rising needs. People can also donate to support Focus Ireland’s urgent Christmas appeal at focusireland.ie or by PH 1850 204 205
Media Contacts Roughan Mac Namara (0868515117) or Alan Neary (0864680442).