The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal 2020

The Rick O'Shea Book Club is Ireland's largest book club with almost 35,000 members. It's run on Facebook  by RTE Broadcaster and presenter of The Book Show on RTE Radio 1 - Rick O'Shea.

This is the third year of the annual ROSBC Xmas Appeal, but for charities in Ireland it has been a year like no other. Fundraising has been decimated, services are stretched as never before. We'd like to help a little if we can.

This year we have decided to split donations equally between three incredibly worthy charities, and for three different reasons.

All we're asking is that if you have gotten any enjoyment from the ROSBC or Shelf Analysis  this year, consider donating the price of a book for these incredibly worthy causes.

If you have any concerns about the validity of this fundraiser please feel free to contact me on Twitter - @rickoshea .

Last year we raised almost €35,000. Let's see if we can beat that...

Thanks x

I'm starting with the DSPCA for selfish reasons - this year we adopted our 2 dogs during lockdown from them after they were surrendered from a loving home that just couldn't take care of them any more. They have brought *SO* much joy into our lives and have definitely kept me on the level.

As they say, they exist "uniquely to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome sick, injured and cruelly treated animals."

Mental health is something else I suspect we've all thought about during Covid 19, and services like Samaritans Ireland are vital first points of contact for people not coping so well.

As they say "Every seven seconds, Samaritans answer a call for help. We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure."

Finally The Peter McVerry Trust do incredible work in the field of homelessness. This year is a year no different to any other for them. We've been glad to raise money for them in years past.

As they say, they provide "low-threshold entry services, primarily to younger people and vulnerable adults with complex needs, and offers pathways out of homelessness based on the principles of the Housing First model."

Thanks for your donation, big or small. The appeal will run until midnight on December 31st 2020.

LEGAL CLARIFICATION FOR GOFUNDME - All proceeds raised will be divided equally between the DSPCA, Samaritans Ireland and Peter McVerry Trust immediately upon the closure of the appeal on December 31st 2020. Each charity is free to spend funds raised as part of their work for 2021. All three are registered charities in Ireland. All three charities are  aware of this fundraiser.