Cork Simon Community Launches 2026 Annual Fundraising Ball as Homelessness Figures Surge

Cork Simon Community has launched its 2026 Annual Fundraising Ball as new figures reveal a stark 25% rise in people depending on emergency accommodation across the Southwest in the space of a single year.

The charity, which supports hundreds of vulnerable men and women facing homelessness across Cork and Kerry, will hold its 24th Annual Fundraising Ball at Fota Island Resort on Friday, 17 April 2026.

According to the Department of Housing, there were 799 men and women relying on emergency accommodation in the Southwest in December, a significant increase on the previous year that underlines the growing pressure on services.

The ball is Cork Simon Community's single largest fundraising event, raising almost €250,000 in 2025 and more than €1.9 million since the event began. Organised by a voluntary committee of local business leaders, this year's event is supported by a number of returning Cork-based sponsors, including EZ Living Interiors, Keane's Jewellers, and Heineken Ireland.

Barbara-Anne Richardson, Corporate Affairs Manager at Heineken Ireland, said:

"Cork Simon's tireless work to help men and women experiencing homelessness has a huge impact on the Cork community. We look forward to raising much needed funds at this year's ball, an event we have been involved with since its inception."

Dermot Kavanagh, CEO at Cork Simon Community, said:

"The Annual Fundraising Ball is a crucial event in our calendar each year as it stands alone as our most important fundraising event. The Cork community, businesses and companies always show up and demonstrate their commitment to supporting an inclusive Cork that looks after the most vulnerable people. The money raised locally, stays locally. The staggering 25% increase in men and women stuck in emergency accommodation in the Southwest at the end of 2025 highlights the increased pressure on all our services. We look forward to welcoming attendees to this year's ball, a sell-out every year, as we continue to strengthen partnerships in 2026. We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the businesses and people of Cork."

Funding raised at the event helps bridge the gap between government funding and the cost of running Cork Simon's life-changing services.