Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnell ONE

Paddy Connolly is a Veteran who served 25 years in the Irish Defence Forces with 2 deployments to South Lebanon. Paddy is running the Dublin Marathon in support of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel ONE and their Homeless and Service initiatives. ONE is a registered charity, its mission is to provide accommodation for homeless veterans and deliver a wide range of advice and mental health support through its network of branches, Veteran Support Centres, and dedicated Veteran Support Officers. ONE provides 51 ensuite bedrooms in 4 Veteran Homes (Dublin, Cork, Athlone & Letterkenny) every night to Veterans. Veterans do not choose to become homeless, or to suffer with mental health issues. Choice requires both rights and opportunity. ONE continues to work tirelessly to restore those rights and create those opportunities.

The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel ONE are the ONLY providers of professional services to Irish Veterans. The Fuchsia Appeal is the Annual Fundraising event to help us support those who have served the Irish State with Disipline, Distinction, Integrity and Loyalty. Many of our Homeless Veterans have also served in the worst conflict zones in the world as Peacekeepers with the United Nations. “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. ONE's facilities directly 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 Appeal will run from Veterans Day 25 September to Niemba Massacre Day 7 November 2026.

ONE Member and Defence Force Veteran Jimmy Fullam is undertaking another Camino Walk in support of Homeless Veterans. This year’s event is the Portuguese Camino. Jimmy will commence his walk at Baiona and catch up with his group as they move up the coast. Starting on the 19 August and finishing his walk in Santiago on the 25 August. On the 15 August, Jimmy is attending the inaugural “Blue Light Awards” for Front Line Service Members where he is a nominee for an award. “You don’t do Camino Walks with your body, you do them with your mind,” Jimmy says. “It will always get you where you need to be, stage by stage, just like life. You don’t need to be a super fit, just some fitness and inspiration.” I get my inspiration from the knowledge that, whatever funds I raise go to helping my comrades who find themselves Homeless or in need of the professional services of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel ONE. Jimmy has undertaken a huge number of Walks for charities including Focus Ireland, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), his own ex-unit the 5th Infantry Battalion Veteran’s Association, LauraLynn, Simon Community, and most recently in September 2025 for the Coolmine Therapeutic Community. His personal motto of “Always think of others” has seen him cover more than 8,000 kms across six full Caminos, two Ignatian Ways (Camino Ignaciano), two Famine Trails and Dolomite Trails. For Jimmy, it’s not just a physical journey, but a spiritual one that has sent him on his own road to recovery, spreading a message of hope for people who feel they have none left. LEAVE NO IRISH VETERAN BEHIND

4 members of the Military Veteran Community who are employed in Pinterest, Ireland are taking part in this gruelling challenge in support of Homeless Irish Veterans. Defence Force Veterans Pat Finnucane & Richie O’Neill along with Veteran advocates Paul Hammond & Sam Wharton will complete this 4-day challenge in the furthest point north in Donegal with Logistics Support by Lorraine Ledwidge, who is also a Veteran Advocate. Pinterest is a visual discovery and social media platform which offers to unlock tools that spark your creativity and help you find more inspiration. https://ie.pinterest.com/ The Quadrathon 2026 is a four-day endurance running and walking festival held from August 13th to 16th, 2026 along the rugged coastlines of the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland Quadrathon 2026 has attracted entries from all over Europe and beyond, this interest is mostly attributed to “Word of mouth” by previous competitors who are again taking part in this amazing adventure. Irelands most celebrated and talked about this Challenge, “It’s not just a race, it’s an adventure experience with lifelong memories” Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE) was founded in 1951 to support former members of the Irish Defence Forces and to ensure their service is never forgotten. ONE is a registered charity, its mission is to provide accommodation for homeless veterans and deliver a wide range of advice and mental health support through its network of branches, Veteran Support Centres, and dedicated Veteran Support Officers. As the organisation marks its 75th year in 2026, its mission remains clear: to stand with those who served when they need it most ensuring "No Irish Veteran is Left Behind" Pinterest Veterans are using this Quadrathon as a fundraising awareness event This Challenge is a way for former service personnel to continue serving — by helping their fellow veterans and shine awareness on the plight of their fellow comrades who have found themselves homeless and in need of certain services. ONE (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) are the only organisation providing accommodation and professional services to Irish Veterans. By sharing this page with others, you are supporting this challenge which is equally valuable. Thank You

Irish Defence Forces Veterans Paul Farrell is taking part in the 2026 Dublin City Half Marathon which takes place on May 3, featuring a 13.1-mile route starting on O'Connell Street. The theme this year is “Run together, thrive together” which is something this former Artillery Gunner has done all his military life and has been involved in sport, especially boxing. Paul is using this Marathon as a fundraising awareness event to shine on the plight of his fellow comrades who have found themselves homeless and in need of certain services. ONE (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) are the only group providing accommodation and professional services to Irish Veterans. ONE supports the needs of Irish veterans by providing to homeless accommodation in its 4 Veterans’ Homes (Dublin, Letterkenny, Athlone & Cobh), & the provision of other assistance including mental health training & counselling service to veterans through its nationwide network of 31 Branches & 15 Veterans’ Support Centres. “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”