Simon ball raises highest ever figure

It was a record breaking year for the amount raised at this year’s Cork Simon ball.

€243,000 was raised by this year’s Cork Simon Community’s Annual Fundraising Ball, a jump of 26% on last year.

This is the most ever raised at the event, and marks a significant increase on last year’s €192,000.

Cork Simon Community is experiencing a surge in requests for help and are meeting more people than ever before who are sleeping rough. The number of people depending on emergency accommodation continues to increase to record levels every month.

According to the Department of Housing, there are a record 688 men and women stuck in emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry - a 27% increase in 12 months.

Organisers said the ball was an amazing event, with singer Stephanie Rainey’s performance hailed as a highlight of the evening.

An Taoiseach Micheal Martin praised the ball organisers: “I was delighted to attend the 23rd Annual Cork Simon Ball and proud of the effort of our local business community in getting behind the organisation’s hugely important work. Cork Simon is supporting men and women who are homeless with expert care through difficult and complex circumstances. The funds raised represent the generosity and community spirit of the people of Cork.”

Outgoing Ball Co-Chair of the Cork Simon Ball Voluntary Organising Committee Eoin Gunn, Head of Business Banking at AIB said: “The Cork Simon Ball Committee members are a great group of people and it was a privilege to work with them on behalf of Cork Simon. We committed to making a greater difference to the lives of homeless men and women in our city through increasing funds raised through the ball.”

The annual ball has raised €1.8 million since it began. The event is organised by a voluntary committee made up of local business leaders and is sponsored by a number of Cork-based companies.

Outgoing Ball Co-Chair of the Cork Simon Ball Voluntary Organising Committee, John Burchill of the Hayfield Manor said: “Everybody we asked to support Cork Simon said yes, from sponsors, to attendees to event suppliers, The generosity from the community was heartening. It's a difficult time and we know these funds will support more people in ways that will make the biggest difference to their lives. It's amazing what we can achieve when we all come together.”