Dominic Burke, from
St Vincent de Paul, pictured along with Carla
McDermott and Eimear Devine from St Mary’s College. Cheques for £600 (€700) have been presented to representatives of each of the four charities who benefited from funds raised by 70 young people from across the Derry Diocese who participated in the recent Sleep Out/Stay Awake to raise awareness of, and money to prevent, homelessness in Derry.
The Stay Awake/Sleep Out was held in St Eugene’s Cathedral on March 8 from 8pm until 8am the following morning.
Young people from across the diocese slept out to replicate the conditions homeless people face, as well as listening to a series of talks by representatives from St Vincent de Paul, De Paul Ireland, the Simon Community and Damien House. Faith was at the centre of the event, with young people having the opportunity to pray the Rosary at midnight at the grotto. Confessions were also heard during the night by Fr Patrick Lagan and Fr Malachy Gallagher. In total, £2,400 (€2,800) was raised for the homelessness cause.