International construction and engineering company Sisk has been unveiled as the new sponsor of Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light fundraising sleep-out, deepening its commitment to supporting children and families experiencing homelessness.

The event will run nationwide on Friday 9 October, the night before World Homelessness Day, calling on business leaders, companies, schools and communities to sleep out for one night and raise essential funds.

Focus Ireland aims to raise €1.2 million through this year's campaign to bolster frontline services as need continues to grow. There are currently 17,527 people in emergency accommodation in Ireland, including 5,659 children. Children now account for more than one-third of all people experiencing homelessness.

For young people, the impact goes far beyond the absence of a permanent address. Research indicates children in emergency accommodation face higher risks of anxiety, developmental delays and disrupted schooling.

Families placed in emergency hubs often move repeatedly between temporary locations, creating instability, isolation and a loss of community connections for parents and children. The average family stay in emergency accommodation now exceeds a year, with many remaining far longer.

Sisk has supported Focus Ireland over the past seven years, with staff embracing the Shine A Light challenge and hosting Workplace Sleep Outs at its Citywest offices. As the new Shine A Light sponsor, Sisk is encouraging its people, partners, customers and communities to unite to raise awareness and vital funds to help families move out of homelessness and into secure, long-term homes.

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Welcoming Sisk as a new corporate sponsor, Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said: "We're delighted to welcome Sisk as a valued partner in our work to end homelessness. Their continued commitment through Shine A Light really shows what’s possible when businesses step up and get involved.

"The way they've embraced the Workplace Sleep Out has been hugely inspiring, setting a brilliant example of how teams can come together, make an impact, and truly live their values through corporate social responsibility. We're excited to keep building on this partnership and achieve even more together through the next chapter of Shine A Light."

Commenting on the announcement, Maura Toles, Sisk Group Company Secretary / Chief Legal Officer, said: "Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood, yet too many children are growing up without the security of a place to call home. At Sisk, we're proud to support Focus Ireland in their work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

"This will be our third year hosting our Workplace Sleep Out in our Citywest Head Office with our team fully embracing the challenge and coming together to raise vital funds and awareness for those facing homelessness. It is a powerful experience that reinforces just how important this work is and deepened our commitment to this cause.

"At a time when too many children and families are experiencing homelessness, we're committed to taking our support to the next level as sponsors of Shine A Light by rallying our people, partners and communities behind a shared goal: ensuring every child has the stability, security and opportunity that comes with having a place to call home.

"Homelessness is a challenge none of us can solve alone, but together we can make a real difference. Our message to other organisations is simple: get involved. When businesses come together and use their people, resources and influence to support Shine A Light, we can give more children and families the chance to leave homelessness behind forever.

"Through our support of Shine A Light, we're helping to shine a light on family homelessness while backing services that provide children with opportunities to thrive. Our goal is not only to support families through crisis, but to help them achieve lasting stability and move into a home of their own. That's why we're committed to doing more and encouraging others to join us in making a difference.

"This October, we're encouraging companies, community groups, schools, and individuals to join us and take part in Shine A Light. Together, we can help ensure more children have the support, stability, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures."