An initiative aimed at giving children living in direct provision, Christmas presents has launched.
Bohemian Fc is behind the toy drive, which is into it’s sixth year, and is widely supported.
Daniel Lambert, COO of the League of Ireland side, and owner of Dublin cafe Bang Bang, where the idea was originally born, says that the aim is to give kids a sense of belonging.
With a growing number of children now living in direct provision here, the club has changed it’s approach.
What started as supporters being given a gender and age, and asked to purchase a toy, has turned into an appeal for donations on a GoFundMe page.
We need your HELP – please dontate if you can and share widely🎄🧑🎄
Every year we raise tens of thousands of euro to get gifts for children in Direct Provision.
We need to raise a further €45,000 in the next 5 days to make it happen again.
This year they need a lift more… pic.twitter.com/c56jZOvfeo
— Bohemian Football Club (@bfcdublin) November 28, 2024
However, Mr Lambert says they will still accept toy donations to the club.
“We still accept toys into the office, Dalymount or BangBang, but logistically, we can’t do that with everyone.
“We work with Smiths Toys, they give us a discount and deliver toys to the RDS, where we have lists, so hopefully we can raise the money.
“Volunteers from the local Gaelscoil are coming over to help, along with players from our mens and womens teams and we spend two or three days packing everything, and sending it all out.”
A target of 55-thousand euro has been set, which works out at 30-35 euro per child.
Since it started in 2018, over 400,000 euro has been raised.
The fundraising effort is in partnership with the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, along with club partners DHL, who assist with shipments.
