Immigrant Council of Ireland Receives Toy Show Magic. Local Children and Young People amongst over 1 million to benefit nationwide
23rd June 2026
Immigrant Council of Ireland Receives Toy Show Magic.
Local Children and Young People amongst over 1 million to benefit nationwide
Statement by the Immigrant Council of Ireland
Immigrant Council of Ireland is one of over 170 organisations benefitting from the latest round of RTÉ Toy Show Grants which been made possible by the generosity of the annual television spectacle.
The announcement of grants (23rd June 2026) has been made by Community Foundation Ireland which works to turn donations by viewers into actions on the ground which benefit children and their families.
Immigrant Council of Ireland is receiving support of €40,000 to Kids In Need of Defence (KIND) project
Commencing in 2019, KIND addresses essential need for legal support and protection for unaccompanied refugee children who are entitled to be reunified with their parents and minor siblings. The beneficiaries of the KIND project range in age from as young as 8 years old to 18 years old. Family separation causes acute stress and anxiety for refugee children who have been received into care on their arrival to Ireland. However, due to statutory service gaps there is no legal aid available, and applications are extremely complicated to make without access to legal knowledge and specialised assistance.
The KIND project is unique in Ireland in terms of its cross-sectoral collaborative approach linking civil society organisation, State agency and the business sector to assist vulnerable children in care to realise their rights and support their well-being.
KIND pro bono partners are highly committed to the continued involvement and success of the project. This unique collaboration has been recognised through variety award nominations. In 2025 the KIND Project won an award at the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards for Volunteering and Pro Bono Service.
Spokesperson Teresa Buczkowska in welcoming the grant said:
“Refugee children who have been separated from their families having fled war, famine and persecution, often spent number of years until family tracing has re-established contact with their families. Family reunification plays a critical role in the successful integration of migrants and refugees in a new country. Thanks to the RTÉ Toy Show Grants we will continue filling a crucial legal aid gap, and ensuring that unaccompanied refugee children are supported to navigate a complex legal process and secure a fundamental need for their wellbeing and development: the company and care of their family.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added:
“Being entrusted to turn the €4.3 Million provided by generous RTÉ viewers into actions which deliver benefits for children across Ireland is both a huge honour and responsibility. The Foundation uses insights and knowledge from community partners across the country, best in class research and the insights of top child advocates to inform our decisions. The result is another year when children in every part of our country will benefit.
On behalf of the Community Foundation I want to congratulate everyone who will benefit from the latest grants. We look forward to being updated on your work ahead as we all seek to improve the lives of children and their families. To the viewers who have made all of this possible, Thank You.”
Ends