A prize draw offering Harry Potter books signed by some of the films’ stars is raising money in memory of the actor, who died 10 years ago.

Chief executive of CRITICAL charity, David Tighe, said: “Behind every one of these calls is a person having one of the worst days of their lives and a volunteer responder willing to step forward.

Legend on the Bench was set up by ex-professional footballer Micky Hazard and his sister Michelle following the death of her son.

The campaign, A Cup of Kindness Tea Party, takes place from January 30 to February 2

A number of events take place this morning, with some over the coming days

Sea conditions are expected to be choppy on the east coast, with calmer conditions forecast along the west of the country.

Swimmers raced into Belfast Lough at Helen’s Bay for the annual Christmas Eve dip in the sea.

This Christmas, Apple employees are supporting Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Cork-based organisation, operating for nearly 50 years, enables people who are vision impaired and their families to achieve improved mobility and independence, writes Amy Campbell

Caitriona Twomey of Penny Dinners soup kitchen in Cork city said that it is the 'reality of 2025 and it will be the reality of 2026' that people are going hungry in Ireland.

“Bringing joy to young patients at Christmas is a wonderful reminder of the kindness and solidarity that define our community.”

“The charities we support do extraordinary work and together, we’re helping to make a meaningful difference.”

Kenyon Jones Ginn, fondly known as Taffy, lived in Share’s Mount St Joseph housing complex in Cork from 2007 to 2021. He was without family in this country but had a large circle of friends.

The auction, which has gone live for bidding, gives the public the chance to bid on a range of items and experiences.

The latest Focus on Homelessness report for the South West (Cork and Kerry) reveals a troubling rise in family and child homelessness, alongside soaring expenditure on emergency accommodation. 

According to SVP South West, the majority of calls received by the service in 2025 were seeking support with cost-of-living struggles, education costs, and the cost of food.

35,649 children and adults were supported by Barnardos in 2024, a 37 per cent increase on the previous year and the highest level ever recorded.

Regina O’Sullivan said education around consent is vital for these children who are often confused about what has happened.

Homeless charity Depaul has revealed that almost 4% of the nearly 10,000 people the charity supported in 2024 were in Cork, with the organisation now calling for donations to help service users this Christmas, Rachel Lysaght reports

The organisation, One In Four, said they saw an increase in men seeking help in 2024.

At a special presentation event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island on Wednesday, organisers announced that €24,152 was raised through this year’s event, bringing the total raised since the cycle’s inception in 2012 to almost €429,796.

Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness was founded on the northside in 2009, at a time when that part of the city was struggling to deal with a high number of suicides, and the group has since expanded its operations across the region.

Organisations are disappointed that there are no measures in place for the homeless in Budget 2026

The sleep out is being organised in response to the growing number of homeless people across the city and county.

West Cork woman Margaret Daly has raised a remarkable €120,000 over 30 years for various charities. She tells ÁILÍN QUINLAN what drives her efforts, and about her brush with cancer which didn’t divert her from her giving back to society

Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said people need ‘bold action, not broken promises’.

Cork man Liam Cunningham, aged 78, tells ADRIENNE ACTON about his charity parachute jump - with his teddy bear Red - to raise money for a charity that comforts children during their stay in hospital

Participants included casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers, and seasoned runners, who undertook a 5km or 10km distance to raise money for the charity.

The Rebel Run, which took place at the end of June, covered an over 200km road trip from the outskirts of Cork city to West Cork.

Sporting greats were centre stage as the children’s cancer charity Michael’s Fan Club was unveiled in honour of Michael Horgan.

Molly Jones, who completed the feat in Northamptonshire, England, last Friday, has so far raised more €2,280 through the escapade.

Mr Holohan said he undertook the challenge as he is familiar with mental health issues, having experienced some himself, and wanted to show how it can be possible for anyone to complete this challenge with little under a year of training.

After years of suffering from Crohn’s disease, Cork man Brendan Lewis felt well enough to undertake a marathon journey from Malin Head to Mizen Head, he tells MARGARET DONNELLAN. 

Garnish GAA in West Cork set up a GoFundMe page in late July to pay for the medical expenses of Féile O’Sullivan.

A Cork family is preparing to take part in the Tour de Munster next week. Nuala and Aodan Heavin tell CHRIS DUNNE why the event is so important to them.

Their fundraising supports two causes close to their family.

The Capuchin Franciscan friar founded Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre in 1969 to help the homeless.

The Little Blue Heroes Foundation was set up to support families of children with serious illness.

Members of the Seaman family in Cork are gearing up for an annual charity walk, in memory of beloved father-of-four Ray Seaman, who died of cancer aged 48, says CHRIS DUNNE

Conor Friel was six when he was diagnosed, and now, at the age of 43, he is an avid runner with Carrigaline AC. He completed the marathon to raise both awareness and funds for Dyspraxia DCD Ireland.

The vintage cars will travel around Ireland over two days, from June 13 to 15, starting in Little Island and concluding on the Cooley Peninsula in Carlingford.

Children were being asked to support vulnerable young people around the world by hosting a tea party in their final weeks of school.

Tickets are available online for Grá to Gaza, described by organisers as “an evening of community, solidarity, food, and music in aid of the people of Gaza”, which will take place at Glenville House on Saturday between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

Members of Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club and members of the public were out early to ‘Lap The Lough’ with coins, and organisers said that although it will take “days” to count, they were hopeful they would exceed their target of €20,000.

A third generation vintage steam engine operator from Cork, and a Kinsale man who developed a passion for them, are both taking part in a fund-raising road run next week that ends in Cork, says AEDIN JOHNSTON

Each day, the cyclists will cover about 120km, pushing it to 150km on one day.

“We are hoping to literally surround The Lough with kindness," said one of the organisers, Ernest Cantillon.

Crowds of supporters, many holding banners, have lined the streets of the city to cheer on the runners and wave to their loved ones.

Last year alone, nearly 300 riders joined the cause, and €25,096 was raised.

The warning comes as the annual Trócaire box appeal for Lent draws to a close, with the people of Cork being urged to return their donations.

The building from which Iris House has operated for 13 years is about to be sold and the support service ‘haven’ has until the end of the year to buy or to move. They need to raise €300,000. CEO Linda Goggin-James tells reporter Rachel Lysaght ‘that the main thing is we want to save the building’