“Our doors are always open and we are always available to help out, but our resources are stretched and we need all the help we can get.” That was the message at the launch of the 2023 Drogheda Homeless Aid Christmas Sleepout in West Street this week.

A mixed martial arts fighter and a town councillor turned out on a freezing cold afternoon to help Drogheda Homeless Aid officially launch its fundraising sleepout scheduled to take place this Christmas.

The MMA fighter Ciaran Clarke and independent Cllr Declan Power joined Drogheda Homeless Aid staff Rachael Thompson, Suzanne Darby, Catt Dawson, Peter Carroll, Patrick Thompson and board members Rev Iain Jamieson (Chairperson), Mary-Ann McGlynn and Paul Murphy at a very chilly pitch outside St. Peter’s   Church to publicise the organisation’s big Christmas event.

It’s traditional to have volunteers sleep out in West Street overnight in an effort to raise funds for DHA’s work in aiding the homeless and this year Saturday 2^nd December will see all the volunteers and their supporters in a, hopefully, not too cool main street. The balloons and sign boards advertising the work of the organisation were on display for the launch.

Rev Jamieson welcomed special guests Ciaran and Declan to the event and thanked them for their generous support in advertising the sleepout. “Although most people know u well and know what we do, it’s no harm to raise the profile, not just for the sake of the money although it is important but also to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness. There are many reasons why people become homeless and it is important that there is an organisation in place as a safety net”

“Our doors at our hostel in North Strand and our transition houses in Louth and Meath are open to all and we are always available to help out wherever we can.  We are sending out this call to people to volunteers with us.

“Our resources are stretched and we need all the help we can get so, if you have a few hours to help us on the day or make a donation, we would appreciate a call to our hostel 041 9834492”, he said.

Collectors will be out on the streets of Drogheda at various locations and Drogheda Homeless Aid is appealing to people to be as generous as they can.