Giving Back

RTÉ raised over €20 million for charities in 2020.

1. Charity begins … on The Late Late Show

As the country grappled with the many impacts of Covid-19 within communities, many of Ireland’s charities were especially challenged in their capacity to fundraise to provide essential services. The Late Late Show made particular efforts to support national charities who work to address homelessness, health care, mental health supports, financial assistance and end-of-life care. Thanks to the enormous generosity of our audiences, over €6.7 million was raised during that time for charities as diverse as Pieta House, St Vincent de Paul, Laura Lynn, Hope Foundation, Focus Ireland and RNLI.

2. RTÉ Does Comic Relief

This collaboration with Kite Productions and The Community Foundation for Ireland featured the talents of some of Ireland’s best-loved comedians and actors, including Dara Ó Briain, Andrew Scott, Daisy Edgar Jones, Hozier, Niall Horan and Paul Mescal. The event raised a lot more than just a smile: thanks to matched funding provided by the Government of Ireland, the total amount raised was €5.8 million.

3. Helping our vulnerable

Children with disabilities, people living with illness and victims of domestic violence were among the many vulnerable groups to benefit from €5.8 million raised. In total 672 grants were distributed by The Community Foundation for Ireland, ranging from €900 to €180,000. These were given to organisations right across Ireland, including specific funding for Northern Ireland. In December, the Late Late Show Christmas Busk for Homelessness raised €1.2 million.

4. RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

In a show that was all about celebrating the wonderful children in Ireland, in its inaugural year the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal raised €6.78 million thanks to the enormous generosity of viewers at home and abroad. Over 1.7 million viewers watched the programme across the weekend, making it one of the highest rating TV programmes on a single channel on record.

5. Radio Give-Give

RTÉ’s radio services also made a huge contribution to community fundraising efforts – the Liveline Appeal for the Laura Lynn Foundation in August 2020 helped raise €400,000, and in December the 2fm Appeal for SVP raised close to €100,000.

6. Helping Artists

In July Irish music fans were treated to a one-off live extravaganza as bands come together across the country in support of Minding Creative Minds and the AIST Hardship Fund. Produced for RTÉ by ShinAwiL, Songs from An Empty Room showcased some of the best Irish musical talent.

7. Boosting Small Businesses

A Late Late Show Special in October featured some of the breadth of products and services available in Ireland, as the SME sector struggled with impacts of lockdown and restricted trading. It promoted a host of Irish businesses that are struggling to survive but remain the lifeblood of communities across the country.

8. Irish Emergency Alliance

Remembering those most impacted by Covid-19 in less developed countries, RTÉ was also proud to support the work of the Irish Emergency Alliance: six of Ireland’s leading aid charities joined forces to respond to the challenges of the pandemic among the world’s poorest and most fragile communities.