12 more well-known names announced as part of housing charity’s fundraising initiative
National housing charity Threshold has today announced a new host of well-known Irish names who have recorded stories especially for Christmas as part of its latest fundraising campaign. Threshold’s Bedtime Stories is a collection of stories for adults and children alike, read by over 60 Irish actors, authors and playwrights, which can be accessed via subscription. The additional 12 stories are children’s favourites and Christmas-themed for the festive season.
Contributors announced today include a stellar cast of stage and screen actors including Brendan and Brian Gleeson, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Peter Coonan, Barry McGovern, Pauline McLynn and Owen Roe. Singer-songwriter Hozier, actor and writer Emmet Kirwan, author Louise O’Neill, actor and writer Tara Flynn and Senator David Norris have also joined this spectacular line-up for a worthy cause this Christmas.
They join over 50 voices whose stories have been available since October, including Colm Tóibín, Stephen Rea, Eoin Colfer and Anne Enright. Subscribers can listen to the full collection of stories in return for a donation to Threshold on Patreon, the online platform for sharing artistic content.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Threshold, John-Mark McCafferty said: “Christmas is always an important time in our fundraising calendar, this year more so than ever, as most of us look forward to spending the holidays in the safety of our homes. Homelessness can affect anyone, even those who always had a place to call home and never contemplated that life would be any different. This Christmas, a huge swathe of families and individuals, young and old, the length and breadth of the country are still dealing with uncertainty as their incomes have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home at Christmas.
“With this in mind, we are thrilled to be adding to the long list of Irish actors, authors and musicians who have donated their time and their voices to support our Bedtime Stories initiative.”
The new selection of stories are favourites from the contributors’ childhoods including tales of Cúchulainn and much-loved stories from Oscar Wilde. The Christmas-themed stories include everyone’s favourite, A Christmas Carol, read by Owen Roe, while Louise O’Neill reads from the newly released Miracle on Ebenezer Street, a re-telling of A Christmas Carol by Catherine Doyle. Never-heard-before, original stories are read by Brian Gleeson, who reads a short story from his brother, author Rory Gleeson, and Tara Flynn, who penned an original for Threshold.
Contributor to the fundraiser, actor and writer Tara Flynn said: “Homelessness at any time of year is hard to contemplate, but in winter, even more so. When families should be snug in their beds, kids expecting Santa, it’s unbearable to think of those not knowing where to turn to next. Threshold thinks of them, and helps prevent the worst from happening. It’s an honour to support Threshold’s Bedtime Stories in the hope that, while we entertain and bring a bit of Christmas cheer, we can also raise awareness of their great work.”
Contributor to the fundraiser, actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor said: “The state of homelessness in Ireland is truly heartbreaking. I am so happy to be able to contribute even a small bit to the brilliant work Threshold do.”
Threshold’s Bedtime Stories are available at thresholdbedtimestories.ie. Subscribers can listen to the collection of stories and poems at any time until the end of December for just €10 per month.
