Powerful boost for homeless charity

NNER City Helping Homeless (ICHH) is set to receive a powerful boost after being appointed charity partner to energy supplier Energia.

The partnership will see Energia staff participate in numerous events to raise funds for ICHH services. Events will include coffee mornings, staff quizzes, mud plugger, golf days, volunteer nights and ice cream van events to name but a few.

ICHH was founded in November 2013 as a result of the increasing number of people sleeping rough around Dublin city.

Members of the local community in the north inner city came together to do a soup run around the city and on the first night over 40 volunteers turned up wanting to help.

By 2014 ICHH was operating a seven-night a week outreach service all across Dublin and they secured their first premises on Killarney Street, Dublin 1.

ICHH now has over 200 volunteers on their books and their office on Amiens Street is open 14 hours a day, five days a week.

Last month it emerged that ICHH was to be awarded a European Citizen’s Prize for 2018 after being nominated by Sinn Fein MEPs.

That news came just a week after the organisation’s CEO, Anthony Flynn, was presented with the Best Dubliner title at the 98FM Best Of Dublin awards.

Brian McLoughlin, ICHH Head of Communications, said the charity was delighted with the new partnership with Energia.

“Charity partnerships like this are essential in keeping our 7-day a week outreach and advocacy service operational and we look forward to working very closely with our partners in Energia over the next 12 months,” he said.

Michael Ringland of Energia Group said the Energy Group was more than happy to have ICHH as one of its chosen charities for 2018.

“Our staff are committed to the communities they serve across the country and have had the opportunity to work with notable organisations such as Down Syndrome Ireland, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, Headway, MS, Alone and Guide Dogs," he said.

“In the past five years, we have raised over €140,000 for charitable partners and we look forward to building on this total, and making a real difference to the work of ICHH.”