September 2015 NUI Galway Rover Society Collect Over 1000 Sleeping Bags for the Homeless in Galway

NUI Galway’s Rover Society recently collected 1,100 sleeping bags at Electric Picnic to donate to Cope Galway in Galway. The society had previously received a donation of over 50 sleeping bags at Sea Sessions music festival earlier this summer.

Donna O'Neill, Manager of the Cope Hostel for Homeless Men in Galway, said: “It couldn’t have come at a better time as our supplies are running low. We’ve had to make an emergency call out for help and this has really made all the difference. It’s shocking to see there is such a demand for sleeping bags on the streets of Galway and this supply will last six months at most. We really need a constant supply of practical items, so all donations are always welcome.”

Cathal Breathnach, Auditor of the Rover Society at NUI Galway, said: “Homelessness is a much bigger issue in Galway than most imagine, it’s practically hidden. We were so glad we were able to help the situation and we are hoping to develop our relationship with Cope to provide more assistance in the future.”

The NUI Galway Rover Society is the Scout society in NUI Galway who aims to promote the outdoors in the University but is also working towards a better community outreach.

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