Westmeath charities to receive funding from Late Late Toy Show Appeal

The lives of children across Westmeath will be improved in multiple ways through RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants announced today, which were made possible by the generosity of viewers of last November’s Late Late Toy Show.

A total of €3.6million was raised, which will transform the lives of 1.1 million children, young people, and their families across the island of Ireland, with every county benefiting from grants.

Two Westmeath charities have received funding from this appeal by Community Foundation Ireland.

Athlone Family Resource CLG have been awarded €16,000 to benefit 250 children. This organisation is an early intervention therapeutic support service for children with disabilities and their siblings.

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is one of five charities nationwide to have received a transformative grant of €120,000. It will roll out a creative sensory workshop model for children with additional needs in five schools across Westmeath, Galway, and Clare, accompanied by professional development for teachers.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal began in 2020, and was inspired by the story of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh Co Galway, who won the hearts of the nation with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show. Saoirse sadly passed away in March of this year, and RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst today spoke of Saoirse’s enduring legacy with The Toy Show Appeal.

Kevin Bakhurst said: “The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is one of the most important things that we do as an organisation. We are so grateful for the support of our Late Late Toy Show audience whose generosity has ensured that RTÉ can continue to make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of children, and their families across the island, north and south.

“Children have always been the inspiration behind the Late Late Toy Show and have, in turn, inspired the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, not least, Saoirse Ruane who will be remembered as someone who made such a positive and lasting impact on us all. Her memory will live on through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the many young lives that will be transformed.”