Army veterans make generous donation to Laois cancer support centre 

ÓGLAIGH Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), an organisation of National ex-service personnel, recently donated funds to the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise.

Primarily ONE’s objective is to support the needs of Irish veterans by the provision of accommodation to homeless and other veterans in need of such domestic accommodation in its Veterans Homes and the provision of other advice and support to veterans, in particular Mental Health advice, through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans Support Centres.

On other occasions local branches will run fund-raising events for local and national charities.

One such event was organised by the James Stephens Branch which based in Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny. It has members from Laois, Kilkenny and Tipperary.

These men came together recently and organised a table quiz in the Abbeyleix Manor hotel and raised an impressive €1,510 which they presented to the Cuisle Centre Manager, Mary Ruddy.

Ms Ruddy expressed he gratitude for the donation saying it was a wonderful gesture and would be put to very good use.

ONE’s services are available to all veterans, the women and men of the Defence Forces and also facilitate homeless veterans from other countries living in Ireland from time to time. ONE currently provides accommodation (board and lodging) for approximately 51 veterans, who otherwise would be homeless, in its three residential homes.

ONE is developing a nationwide network of Veteran’s Support Centres to provide veterans with information, advice, someone to listen and somewhere to meet with former comrades. These can be described as a cross between Advice Centres and Men’s/Women’s Sheds. It is hoped that by providing early intervention, they can alleviate social stresses and significantly reduce homelessness among veterans.