TV presenter Lorraine Keane explains why she's teamed up with Oxfam Ireland for Fashion Relief

Over the past eight years, my work with Irish and international charities has taken me to some of the world’s poorest countries. My most recent trip was to East Africa, where millions of people are facing a devastating hunger crisis. I’ve seen mothers who can’t feed their babies and small children who go to bed hungry, knowing there’ll still be nothing to eat when they get up in the morning. It’s absolutely heartbreaking – something that no man, woman or child should have to go through. 

Above left: Lorraine Keane with baby Emilia Rodrigues in Marracuene, Mozambique. Above right: Lorraine with pupils from the Amazon School in Insiza, Zimbabwe. Photos: Jeannie O'Brien

Right now, people in East Africa and elsewhere are dying of hunger. But I don’t think the public realises how bad the situation is because this hunger crisis isn’t being reported in Ireland. At least, that’s what I discovered when I got home. How can millions of people dying from something preventable not be big news?

The other thing I realised when I returned to Ireland was how much stuff we all have. Many of us have too much while other people have nothing. It got me thinking about all those I know who’d be happy to part with a few pre-loved items if they thought it could save lives. 

With that thought it mind, I approached Oxfam Ireland to see if they’d be interested in teaming up for a fashion fundraiser. If we were able to encourage celebrities and members of the public to donate their high-quality clothes, bags and accessories, we could hold a massive sale and raise funds to fight the hunger crisis. Oxfam Ireland was the obvious charity partner. Not only does it work with communities on the brink of starvation, its 48 shops nationwide make ideal drop-off points for stock from the public. 

Once we’d agreed on the concept – now called Fashion Relief – I got out my contacts book and started to get in touch with friends and colleagues in the entertainment business. As I’d expected, they all agreed to help. Not only were some happy to give their designer clothes, they offered to man the stalls for the event on Sunday 13th May at Dublin’s RDS.  As for donations, not one person has said no. 

Miriam O'Callaghan, Bono, Cillian Murphy, Kathryn Thomas, Lucy Kennedy, Andrew Trimble, Amanda Byram, Don O'Neill, Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Rosanna Davison, Aisling O'Loughlin, Sonya Lennon, Brendan Courtney, Brian Kennedy, Glenda Gilson, Brent Pope, Karen Koster, Niall Quinn, Deborah Veale, Helen Steele, Lisa Cannon, Louise Kennedy, Colette Fitzpatrick and Ryan Tubridy as well as jewellery designers like Aria-V, Melissa Curry and Juvi Designs – the list is endless.

They all want to help those suffering from extreme hunger. We’d love if you could join us – because together we can make a difference. 

For more details on tickets, donations or volunteering for FASHION RELIEF, see www.fashionrelief.ie