Bohemian Football Club is calling on fans to donate towards children in the direct provision system this Christmas.
The club has joined forces with the Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland (MASI) and Bang Bang Cafe in Phibsboro to assist children in need. The appeal is accepting both online donations via their GoFundMe page and gifts, which can be dropped in to the cafe.
Bohemian FC’s chief operating officer Daniel Lambert said the charitable appeal began about five years ago but has expanded over the years due to popular demand. He wrote that the initiative began to assist those within the direct provision system, which he described as “inhumane” and “degrading.”
READ MORE: Popular Dublin menswear store hailed as 'legendary' after they accept 15-year-old voucher
He wrote on the GoFundMe appeal: “Due to the sheer volume of gifts we need to get we will be doing the majority of donations online again this year. If you can and are close to Bang Bang or Bohemian FC in Phibsboro you can drop gifts in too. We've set a target of €80,000 (€35 for each child) and will work with toy retailers and one-for-all to get gifts for all children.”
Bohemians have until this Friday to reach their ambitious target. They have currently amassed over €38,000 on their GoFundMe page, assisted greatly by an anonymous donation worth a staggering €10,000.
The donated gifts will be sorted at Dublin’s RDS with the assistance of DHL Express Ireland. The appeal states that only new and unwrapped gifts will be accepted for the donation drive, while very large items will likely be refused.
There are at least 2,100 children residing in the direct provision system in Ireland, according to figures published by advocacy group Doras. Further information on the appeal is available here.
READ MORE
- Late Late Toy Show: Everything you need to know
-
Westlife star Nicky Byrne gives update on injury after falling on stage
Charlie Bird says his 'heart is broken' as tributes flow following the death of Vicky Phelan
Heartbreak at Late Late Toy Show as Ryan Tubridy announces death of colleague
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
