A large donation of €4,276.92 from the B&Q Store Mahon Point in Cork was recently presented to ONE board member Tracy Connolly by B&Q store supervisor Sandra O’Neill, and colleagues Pat Hogan (Veteran) and Leonard Barry, to support ONE’s charitable objectives.

Pat and Tracy had previously served together in a Signals Unit (Communications) in Collins Barracks Cork and had met at last year’s Fuchsia Appeal while Tracy was fundraising outside the GPO in Cork. They have a good friendship that has spanned many decades now, and it was through this comradeship of serving together that Tracy and Pat then discussed the opportunity to fundraise in the B&Q Store in Mahon Point. This is where Pat was enjoying his second career as an assistant supervisor. 

Sandra O’Neill is a seasoned fundraiser for many charities and to date has raised over €96,000 for worthy recipients and she aims to reach €100,000 by the end of the year. Together with her store colleagues and the generous shoppers in B&Q Mahon Point, they have raised €4,276.92 to go towards ONE’s Fuchsia Appeal, which we are extremely thankful for.

ONE currently provides accommodation (board and lodging) for approximately 51 veterans, who otherwise would be homeless. Our veterans contribute on a means basis towards their keep which includes all of the facilities that one would expect in a normal home. With the increase in demand, the charity expects future running costs to rise over the next three years to €2 million per annum. A large portion of these costs are funded through public donations and various fundraising events held by ONE, including the annual Fuchsia Appeal. 

The 14^th Annual Fuchsia Appeal was launched in ONE’s flagship home Brú na bhFiann (Home of the Brave) Dublin on the 21^st of September 2023 by Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt General Sean Clancy, Secretary General of the Dept. of Defence Ms Jacqui McCrum and ONE’s National President Diarmuid Higgins (from Cork). The Fuchsia Appeal is run to raise much-needed funds for the ONE’s charitable objects, namely the provision of homeless accommodation and other assistance to Defence Forces Veterans in need, including counselling and mental health assistance.

The Fuchsia flower was chosen as the fundraising emblem of the ONE as it is grown throughout Ireland and is commonly known as Deora Dé or God’s Tears in the West of Ireland. The Fuchsia badge is now sold as part of the fundraising initiative and under the emblem is stamped the word ‘Cuimhnímis’ – ‘Remember Those Who Served’ in remembrance of those who have served and to the many who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives while serving. The Fuchsia emblem is now used as a badge of remembrance and a symbol to honour those currently serving in the Defence Forces.

To date, ONE has helped more than 1,000 veterans out of homelessness. With the help and support that ONE provides; the organisation can ensure that 90% of those veterans can escape the cycle of homelessness and find permanent housing. 

If you would like to support us, we would be very grateful, you can donate here: https://one-veterans.org/donate/

ONE’s Mission is to LEAVE NO IRISH VETERAN BEHIND

ONE’s Cork City Branch members will be out fundraising on the streets of Cork in the coming weeks, if any businesses would like to talk to Tracy Connolly in Cork (veteranconnolly@gmail.com), or our Marketing & Fundraising Officer Wayne Fitzgerald please email wayne@oneconnect.ie or call 083 097 3282 about opportunities to fundraise or sponsorship.