The Simon Community has received €15,000 from Ireland’s largest supplier of green energy, SSE Airtricity. The cheque was presented by SSE employees to Jennifer Kitson, National Partnership Manager and Emma Kilkenny from the Simon Community.
In November, 50 members of the SSE Airtricity team swapped their warm beds for freezing temperatures and sleeping bags as they completed the Sleep Out for Simon. The 12-hour event took place outside SSE Airtricity’s HQ in Leopardstown, Co. Dublin and helped raise money and awareness of the plight of those who are most vulnerable to the effects of homelessness.
The fundraising drive for Simon within SSE Airtricity, involved a suite of events led by staff, which included the sleep out event. This was complemented by an SSE Skill Swap day, which saw hundreds of employees attend an event where they donated to Simon in return for a crash course in a number of special skills. The skills on display ranged from learning origami, to playing the ukulele, to learning first aid and CPR. A further festive fundraising effort saw SSE employees don Christmas jumpers for a day and donate to the charity.
Earlier this year, SSE Airtricity employees selected the Simon Community as the energy firm’s charity partner of choice. Simon Communities throughout Ireland provide crucial supports to people experiencing homelessness and those in danger of falling into homelessness. The money raised by SSE Airtricity will go towards the provision of vital services to those in need, which will be delivered by Simon Community, across Ireland.
Jennifer Kitson on behalf of the Simon Community, said that the partnership with SSE Airtricity would have an enormous impact. “This partnership is delivering vital, lifesaving funds for our communities around Ireland in their efforts to tackle homelessness. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and creativity of all SSE Airtricity employees who contributed to these fundraising efforts.”
Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said: “At SSE Airtricity we’re proud of our partnership with The Simon Community and we are committed to supporting the crucial work they do. On a personal level, I am very proud of all SSE Airtricity employees for getting behind our charity partner and for finding creative ways to fundraise. This time of year can be extremely difficult for those without a home and hopefully this donation will help Simon to carry out their essential work this Christmas.”