Volkswagen Group Ireland CEO Alan Bateson will raise awareness and funds to support people experiencing homelessness across Ireland by participating in Focus Ireland’s annual Business Leaders Shine A Light Sleep Out.
Bateson, who is taking part for the fifth time, will join business leaders from across the country on 9 October, spending a night outdoors in support of Focus Ireland’s work tackling homelessness and helping individuals and families secure safe, stable homes. He has so far raised more than €7,600 for Focus Ireland ahead of the event.
The initiative comes at a time when Ireland continues to face significant housing challenges. According to the latest available figures, 17,885 people are living in emergency accommodation in Ireland, including 5,830 children.
“In the automotive business, we talk about numbers every day. But there are other numbers none of us should ever become comfortable with,” says Bateson.
“Like the 17,885 people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland or the 5,830 children without a place to call home.”
Having been appointed CEO of Volkswagen Group Ireland earlier this year, Bateson is keen for the country’s largest automotive group to champion local charitable causes and raise awareness of their work.
As well as his efforts on behalf of Shine A Light, he is a board member of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, and a long-time supporter of Volkswagen Group official charity partner The Marie Keating Foundation.
“Lasting progress on homelessness will require sustained collaboration between business, charities, communities and policymakers,” he says.
“One night in a sleeping bag will not solve homelessness. Nor will any one business, charity or institution solve it alone. But the fact that 17,885 people are without a permanent home demands our attention and our collective determination to do better.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit https://joinus.focusireland.ie/event/shine-a-light/home
