A Dubliner who spent 30 years in South Africa before returning to Ireland, felt compelled to take action upon witnessing the increasing number of people sleeping rough in Dublin. Each day on his way to work, he began engaging with those he encountered, learning about their personal stories and struggles. Through these conversations, he frequently heard about the support provided by Dublin Simon, which led him to attend their Christmas Eve busk in 2022. There, he discovered that Dublin Simon’s work extends far beyond street outreach, encompassing vital detox, recovery, healthcare services, counselling, and both supported and independent housing options aimed at combating homelessness. Motivated by this insight, John decided to leverage his skills and network to raise funds, which culminated in a major auction of art and memorabilia. The second auction, held last November, successfully raised €70,000 for Dublin Simon Community.