GAA stars to sleep rough for homelessness awareness
GAA PLAYERS from across the county will take part in a solidarity sleep-out in the Bull Ring on December 16 to draw attention to the homelessness crisis, raise funds and call for action.
The event is the brainchild of Gaelic Voices for Change, a player-led social movement made up of volunteers from the four provinces. The group of current and former inter-county football, hurling and camogie players have been meeting weekly for the past two months and are passionate about making a difference.
Former Wexford hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng and current hurling captain Matt O’Hanlon are both members of the steering committee, along with others like Brendan Maher, Valerie Mulcahy, Michael Darragh McAuley, Gemma Begley, Eamon Fennell and others. The group is supported by the GPA and WGPA and aims to use its voice to support the most vulnerable in society.
The group identified the housing and homeless crisis as a priority area to focus on, with mental health, gambling and racism also on the radar. During their research the group met experts in the area of homelessness and were alarmed by ISPCC reports that Ireland now has the highest child homelessness rate in Europe.
Previously involved with the Show Racism The Red Card the group is now turning to the All Ireland Solidarity Sleep- Out which runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday night.
Already, voer 150 county players and past players have signed up for the event.
The group is appealing for help with tea and coffee, food, sleeping bags, music and entertainment, and fundraising in each of the sleep-out loca- tions. People can also support by donating online at www. gaelicvoicesforchange.com. All funds raised will go to homeless charities including the Peter McVerry Trust, the Simon Community, Focus Ireland and the Capuchin Day Centre.
Former Wexford hurling captain, Diarmuid Lyng remarked: ‘We engage most effectively through the community. Not just a geographical community but by anything that brings people together. Hurling, football and camogie bring us together. If we can do our small bit and engage as many of those people as possible, we are contributing to a fairer and a more compassionate society. This isn’t just the role of Gaelic Voices For Change, this is a role we all share.’
He added: ‘I am involved because I can be. I have benefited from my education, from travel, from the sport, from spirituality. I have the opportunity to use those privileges to help others.”
He pointed out that people were dying on the street because there were means but no desire to house them and that was a reflection on everyone, not just the politicians.
‘ This is being branded and rebranded as acceptable and even normal by those in charge. We no longer can accept this level of inequality and injustice. I am proud that other GAA players are standing up too. We need support. And it is coming.’