Tune in as the Big Busk is back

A big busking event is coming back to Leeside which aims to tackle the rising homelessness crisis through the emotive power of music, art, and performance.

It’s the Big Busk for Focus Ireland taking place on Friday 12 April and the homelessness charity, in partnership with Today FM, is calling for the people of Cork to join them at the Marina Market for live music and support the buskers who have signed up to perform throughout the day from 12-7pm to raise funds for homeless services.

Focus Ireland is also calling on talented Cork musicians, choirs, singers, buskers, community groups and schools to host their own Big Busk events.

Focus Ireland last year supported 680 households in Cork who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The charity began work in Cork in 2007 and now provides 152 homes throughout the city and county, through the Focus Housing Association in close partnership with local authorities.

The Big Busk campaign, now in its third year, has raised over €615,000 in funds to date for Focus Ireland’s homelessness services.

Cork native and Today FM presenter, Matt Cooper, said: “The homeless crisis in Ireland is a huge problem that needs addressing, and we need your help to do so. We want you to get involved and sign up for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland on 12 April and raise some much-needed funds for this wonderful cause.”

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: “We know that as a country we can solve homelessness, and our Focus Ireland teams are doing incredible work every day to end homelessness, one family, one person at a time.

“If Ireland as a country can come together, as Focus Ireland, TodayFM, our buskers and the public donating will be joining together for The Big Busk, we will really help work towards easing this awful human crisis.”

Donations can be made at todayfm.com/busk or through the Revolut app.