RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grants announced with over 1.1 million children and families across Ireland set to benefit

•    All counties to receive grants with 154 charities and community groups securing funding 
•    €6.6 million was donated by the public last November to help change children’s lives for the better   

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the Community Foundation for Ireland announced today that over 1.1 million children and their families will benefit from donations raised during the 2021 Late Late Toy Show Appeal.  

Over a memorable weekend last November, an audience of 1.8 million viewers helped raise over €6.6 million to help change children’s lives for the better. The monies raised will now be used to support the work of registered children’s charities and community groups across the island of Ireland. 154 charities are to receive grants, up from 55 last year, and for the first time, at least one project in every county will benefit.   

Over the past number of months charities working at local, regional, and national levels were invited to apply for a grant under three thematic pillars: addressing essential needs from food to medical equipment, improving well-being including hospital and medical care, mental health supports and grief counselling, and creativity and play.  

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland has announced today that the following four charities are to receive transformative grants of more than €300,000.   

Exchange House Ireland in Limerick promotes equal opportunities for Travellers in areas of health, education, training, accommodation, and enterprise on a nationwide basis.  

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in Galway inspires all children regardless of geographic, economic, physical, intellectual, or cultural status to engage with the creative arts.  

Spraoi agus Spórt in Donegal provides affordable and inclusive opportunities, activities and experiences for children, families, young people, and adults.

Parents Plus develops and delivers evidenced-based parenting, mental health, and educational interventions for vulnerable families.  

The remainder of the donations will be split amongst 150 charities across the island of Ireland including well-known organisations like the Jack and Jill Foundation, Barnardos, Family Carers Ireland, the ISPCC, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Children’s Books Ireland, ARC Cancer Support Services and Oscars’ Kids Ireland.  

Local projects and organisations in every county of Ireland will also receive grants to help with a diverse range of needs including homelessness in Galway, migrant supports in Cork, sexual abuse victims in Carlow, and the mental health of young people in Wicklow to name just a few.  

Over £525,000 has been awarded to 14 charities and organisations in Northern Ireland including Kids Together Belfast, Kinship Care Northern Ireland, and Clonmore Youth Club. 

The full list of organisations can be found here 

Speaking about the announcement host of The Late Late Show, Ryan Tubridy said: “The Irish public has simply blown us away with their generosity and kindness of spirit. The donations given will enrich the lives of children across our island who need it most to give them the support, care, and encouragement that they need. We want to offer a huge thank you to every single person who donated. We were truly overwhelmed with the response.”   

Speaking about the impact of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, The Late Late Show producers Katherine Drohan and Jane Murphy said: “We are constantly inspired by children and with the unwavering generosity of TV viewers, RTÉ will continue to work to bring the magic of the Toy Show to every child in Ireland in order to change their lives for good”. 

Director-General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes said: “The Late Late Toy Show is an evening where generations unite, and the country celebrates some incredible and inspirational children. Viewers once again responded to the call to give with extraordinary generosity, and those donations will make an enormous difference to the work of so many organisations. The fact that this money will impact the lives of over 1.1 million children is phenomenal and we are very grateful to everyone who gave, which is what makes all these grants possible”.  

Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland, Denise Charlton said: “Children, parents and amazing organisations are seeing the magic of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal turned into actions which will transform young lives. From addressing essential needs, improving wellbeing to supporting creativity and play the generosity of television viewers is bringing not only vital support but also colour and joy to children, families and to wider communities. Offering support and benefit to 1.1 million lives is an incredible achievement. It is one which every viewer in every county should be proud of.” 

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is a designated fund to help a range of children’s charities and causes around Ireland, to be managed on RTÉ’s behalf by The Community Foundation for Ireland www.communityfoundation.ie. All of the monies raised are received by The Community Foundation for Ireland who run an open grant round where children’s charities across Ireland are invited to apply for a grant. All grant applications are independently assessed by an expert panel who make a final recommendation for funding.

The Community Foundation for Ireland, now over 20 years in existence, works with individuals, families, companies, and other trusts and foundations to support a diverse range of not-for-profit organisations. Since 2000 The Community Foundation for Ireland has awarded almost €100 million in grants. The Community Foundation for Ireland is a registered charity, (Charities Regulator Number: 20044886) and is committed to the highest standards of trust and governance.