The Fuchsia Appeal was launched in 2009. The selling of Fuchsia Pins is usually focused on a short-defined period during the year. The Fuchsia Appeal 2025 will take place from 28 September (Veterans Day) and will conclude on 08 November 2025 (Commemoration of the Niemba Ambush in the Congo 1960).

The significant expansion in ONE services in support of struggling veterans of the Defence Forces over the last number of years has resulted in a concomitant increase in spending on those services. The Veteran Home Expansion Plan includes the addition of eighteen single en-suite bedrooms in Cork City, Limerick, and Newbridge. The new phase represents the largest ever investment in housing for homeless veterans with a €3.5m capital spend budgeted for the project. The operational budget for 2025 is €1.7 M. This does not include capital costs for buildings or major refurbishment. We currently receive €751,000 from the State towards the operational budget, ONE must raise the balance of circa €949,000 and the Fuchsia Appeal is a major part of this. ONE appeals to people who care about veterans to donate to the Fuchsia Appeal to help veterans escape the triple-lock of homelessness, mental health problems, and poverty.

“Homelessness and mental health challenges have now become part of our common language but in doing so, they may have unfortunately lost some of their true meaning. The blunt reality is that it is about being without shelter, or compassion, or care, or hope. The new facilities will directly enable ONE to provide homeless veterans with a safe, secure and supportive space, warm meals, camaraderie, care and hope, for as long as it is needed. Ninety percent of the veterans helped by ONE escape the cycle of homelessness and move on to permanent housing and this is a key motivation behind the work we do, a work that is summarised in four words: Support, Comradeship, Advocacy, & Remembrance.”

The Fuchsia was chosen as it is widely grown throughout Ireland and is commonly known as Deora Dé or God’s Tears in the West of Ireland. The Fuchsia emblem is a fundraising emblem, a badge of remembrance and a symbol to honour those currently serving in the Defence Forces.