LISTEN - GAA players unite for 'Solidarity Sleepout' to highlight homelessness

By Gráinne Connolly

A group of current and former inter-county football, hurling and camogie players have united under the umbrella of ‘Gaelic Voices for Change’ to help and try make a difference to social issues across the whole island of Ireland.

The new player-led social movement is made up of volunteers from the four provinces who have been meeting weekly for the past two months.

Members of the steering group includes Tyrone ladies footballer Gemma Begley, alongside Tipperary hurlers Brendan Maher and Patrick Bonner Maher, former Wexford hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng among many other past and current GAA players. 

The group, which is supported by the GPA (Gaelic Players Association) and WGPA (Women's Gaelic Players Association), feel strongly that the GAA is based on community values and that they want to use their voice to support the most vulnerable in society.

They have identified the housing and homeless crisis as a priority area to focus on but are also keen to look at areas such as mental health, gambling and racism.

During their research, the group met with leading experts in the area of homelessness and found that Ireland now has the highest child homelessness rate in Europe according to ISPCC reports; and according to Focus Ireland there has been a 24% increase in homelessness in the past year.

Now, the group are turning their attention to an all-Ireland 'Solidarity Sleep-out' from 6pm to 6am on Saturday December 16th in a bid to draw attention to the homelessness crisis, raise funds and call for action.

Already over 150 county players and past players have signed up for the sleep-out which will take place in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Belfast, Portlaoise, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow.

Q Radio has been speaking to Fermanagh ladies player Marita McDonald who will also be devoting her time to the sleep-out on the 16th December: 

Derry footballer and captain of Ulster Senior Champions Slaughtneil, Chrissy McKaigue will also be taking part in the campaign to highlight the homelessness crisis across Ireland:

An appeal has also gone out for help with tea and coffee, food, sleeping bags, music and entertainment, as well as fundraising in each of the sleep-out locations. 

People can also support by donating online at https://www.gaelicvoicesforchange.com

The group also have Twitter and Instagaram accounts @GaelicVoices4Ch and on Facebook at 'Gaelic Voices For Change', where updates will be posted and the public can keep up to date and follow the campaign.