Simon Open Door Campaign Raises over €100,000 for Simon Community

Caption: LR RIAI CEO Kathryn Meghen, Campaign Spokesperson Dermot Bannon MRIAI, Simon Community Represetantive Stephanie Nolan. Photo Jenny Barker. 

The RIAI is delighted to announce this year’s RIAI Simon Open Door campaign raised over €100,000 to help tackle the housing and homeless crisis. This latest result brings the total raised, in the campaign’s 18-year history, to €1,430,000.  

The RIAI Simon Open Door campaign, which ran both in person and online from 4th to 14th May, saw members of the public partake in over 1,000 consultations with RIAI-registered architects nationwide in return for a €95 donation. The hour-long consultations took place both online and in person and all funds raised went directly to the Simon Community to support projects and vital services across the county.

Commenting on another successful year of the initiative, Charlotte Sheridan, RIAI President, said: “Over the past 18 years, architects from around the country have given their time and expertise to participate in this worthy initiative. We are so grateful to the public who have embraced the campaign and generously donated to the Simon Community, and we were delighted to be able to welcome back in-person consultations following two years of COVID.

Good architecture creates safe and welcoming spaces, and we are delighted that the funds raised will allow the Simon Community to provide stable homes to those who need them most.

We also thank the RIAI members who gave their time and expertise to support the campaign, it’s wonderful to see so many architects get involved and use their skills to support such a worthy cause.”

Stephanie Nolan from Simon Community said: “Our ongoing partnership with the RIAI makes a real difference to the vital work we do across the country, and we would like to thank all of the members of the public who partook this past year and over the past 18 years. Homelessness, already a deeply traumatic and isolating experience, has only been heightened by the pandemic. Shockingly, during this health crisis the number of single homeless adults increased 7%, but with supporters like RIAI we can continue to deliver vital services to those who need them most.”

“The funds raised this year will go directly to support projects across the country including building and refurbishment that will create homes and improve the lives of our clients in our local communities. A big thanks to the RIAI, the architects who took place and the public for their continued support of RIAI Simon Open Door.”

For more information about the Simon Community or to donate visit www.simon.ie.