The SSE Airs, SSE’s workplace choir, hit all the high notes last Friday night when they performed alongside the High Hopes Choir once again for a festive feast of favourites at St. Andrew’s Church in Dublin.
The Christmas Bells concert was sponsored by SSE Ireland, and saw The SSE Airs renew their partnership once again with the High Hopes Choir, Ireland’s first choir comprised entirely of people affected by homelessness. All funds raised at the event support those across Ireland who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.
Proceeds raised at the concert will go to support Focus Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) and Penny Dinners Cork in the provision of frontline services and facilities helping to end the cycle of homelessness.
In addition to the proceeds raised on the evening, SSE Ireland announced that it is topping up the funds raised with a donation of a further €75,000.
SSE Airs organiser, Avril Hannin, said: “We were thrilled once again to continue our work with the High Hopes Choir. When we sing with the High Hopes Choir, it always feels like there’s a little bit of magic going on, especially at Christmas. This concert always bring all of us as singers and those in the audience together in a joyful way to celebrate this special time of the year.
“All of us in The SSE Airs are particularly proud that together with the High Hopes Choir we’re making a difference by helping to raise much-needed funds for homelessness services, both through the proceeds raised on the night and by the contribution from SSE Ireland.”
Caitriona Twomeym, Trustee of Penny Dinners in Cork, said: “We are so delighted with this support for the High Hopes Choir from SSE Ireland. The Cork Choir has worked so hard this year and it is wonderful that their success means that we can continue our vital work in Cork, especially at this time of year.”
Geoff Meagher, National President, St Vincent de Paul, said:“The Society of St Vincent de Paul is very pleased to be associated with the High Hopes Choir. It is a tremendous and beneficial project for all those participating and the funds it is raising for the charities involved is a welcome bonus. It is a demonstration of the spirit and commitment of people who are homeless to rise above their physical situation.”
Elizabeth Smyth and Sinead Price, Community Fundraising Team, Focus Ireland, said: “Focus Ireland is very grateful to SSE Ireland for making a generous financial contribution to The High Hopes Choir. The idea behind the choir is to give people facing homelessness a voice and to help them develop their confidence. But it has done much more than that, it has given the group back a sense of self, a sense of pride, a sense of belonging and allowed them to believe that things will get better. Without the generosity of companies like SSE the choir couldn’t continue.
“Over 1,200 families are homeless in Ireland today, many are living in emergency accommodation that is completely unsuitable for families, and they cannot be expected to live like this anymore. We are urging both the public and the corporate sector to dig deep and donate to make a difference in the lives of the 1,200 families and 2,470 children who are homeless in Ireland today.”