Donations have opened for the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2024 - the annual fundraiser that has seen over €21 million raised for children's charities across the island of Ireland in the past four years.
"For the last four years, the people of Ireland have donated in record numbers to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, doing their part so that kids in every county across the island of Ireland can go on being kids," said RTÉ.
"In 2020, the nation was inspired to donate in unprecedented numbers by Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co Galway, who won the hearts of the nation with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show. Saoirse inspired the official RTÉ Toy Show Appeal that followed, which has raised over €21 million for children's charities to date.
"Saoirse sadly passed away in March of this year, yet her enduring legacy continues with the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal. Tonight (Friday), Saoirse's parents Roseanna and Ollie Ruane joined Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty to pay special tribute to Saoirse and, in recognition of her inspiring contribution, donations to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal have now opened one week ahead of the forthcoming Late Late Toy Show on 6 December.
"The public can donate now by going to www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal, or with the appeal's official donation partner, Revolut Pay.
"In addition, in 2025 a grant award of up to €150,000 will be made in Saoirse's name to a chosen charity. The Saoirse Ruane Grant will issue as part of the 2025 appeal allocations and can be used over two years."
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RTÉ, 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 audience over the last four years, 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.
"I'm particularly pleased to see the announcement of The Saoirse Ruane Grant in honour of Saoirse, and that donations to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal are opening a week earlier this year.
"Saoirse will be remembered as someone who made such a positive and lasting impact on us all. Her memory lives on through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal and the many young lives that it transforms."
To date, 359 grants have been provided to 226 children's charities across the island of Ireland. It is estimated that the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal has helped over 1,100,000 children and family members annually since its inception. The appeal is managed by Community Foundation Ireland.
