Diocesan News
Christ Church concert raises funds and awareness for refugee accommodation programme
The soulful Discovery Gospel Choir and the inspirational High Hopes Choir entertained a packed Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday evening (November 26) for ‘A Place to Call Home’, a benefit concert for the Dublin & Glendalough Refugee Housing Appeal.
Organised by the Dean’s Vicar, the Revd Abigail Sines, the concert raised €1,831.57 for the appeal which supports the Irish Refugee Council’s pilot housing project. This project aims to help people who have been granted leave to remain in Ireland move from Direct Provision to independent living by providing transitional accommodation along with individually tailored support to help them find work and integrate in their local communities.
The project has the added benefit of diverting some of the pressure from State and non–governmental organisations dealing with homelessness by ensuring that fewer people coming from Direct Provision end up on their books.
CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, thanked everyone for supporting the concert and Abigail for organising it. He highlighted the increasingly challenging situation for the 450 people who are currently stuck in direct provision, unable to move on because of the challenge of finding accommodation.
Dublin & Glendalough has pledged to raise €300,000 for the project over three years. To contribute to the appeal, cheques can be forwarded to: the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough, Church House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6 (marked Housing Appeal). Donations can also be lodged directly to: DIOCESAN FUNDS OF DUBLIN AND GLENDALOUGH, Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2, BIC: BOFIIE2D, IBAN: IE50 BOFI 9000 1769 3548 78. Please use the reference: Housing appeal.
Watch this short video for more music and information from the evening:
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 235 6472
Mrs Lynn Glanville
[email protected]