John’s Pledge
‘There will always be people who need our help. I hope that, because of the foresight of thoughtful people like you, Focus Ireland can always be there to lift people up and give them a place to call home.’ – Sr Stan
I support Focus Ireland because I see myself as part of a network of people who share similar values and want to help their community. My partner and I have supported Focus Ireland through donations whenever we could, and at a certain point we set up a monthly donation. I want to ensure my support lives on so I decided to leave part of my estate in my will to Focus Ireland, because this work is so important.
I used to volunteer with Focus Ireland back on Eustace St. in 1985. I volunteered on the 24-hour helpline, providing callers with information about hostels and emergency beds and just trying to make sure that those who needed it found a bed for the night.
Even after I changed jobs and could no longer volunteer, I always kept in touch. These were people I wanted to keep in my life because they shared my values and my passion for helping people and the community.
This sense of giving back is something I have probably inherited from my late mother, who used to spend her afternoons visiting with people who were in poor health or old and living alone. While I have my good health, I like to use some of my time to support people in the community in a similar way.
‘I still regularly read the stories in the newsletter of people who are at risk of homelessness and the fact that my support is helping them is very reassuring.’
I was always fortunate to have the family home to fall back on. I just can’t imagine if you did not have that and then your landlord gives you notice. I still regularly read the stories in the newsletter of people who are at risk of homelessness and the fact that my support is helping them is very reassuring.
By leaving a gift to Focus Ireland in my will I am contributing to a better future for people who need it most. I feel a great sense of fulfilment in knowing that people will lead better lives because of my gift, and through them my sense of community spirit will hopefully live on. This gift is my way of ensuring that I keep supporting these people and the work that represents my values into the future. I hope that others will consider making a similar commitment.