An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 17 ONE has been in existence since 1951 when it was established fol- lowing the amalgamation of a number of ex-servicemen's organi- sations. In 2002 it was registered as a company limited by guaran- tee, as ONE, and has since been granted charitable status. In the near 65 years since its foundation the organisation has gone from strength to strength and today has 42 branches. Membership is still growing, not only throughout Ireland, but in the UK, the US and Australia. ONE's main objective is to look after the welfare of ex-servicemen and women by providing accommodation and other supports to homeless, elderly or disabled members who may have fallen on hard times. It also offers a range of social, cul- tural and sporting activities to its members in order to develop a spirit of comradeship between serving and retired members of the services. ONE's website www.oneconnect.ie and newsletter 'ONE Connect' enable former members of the Defence Forces to keep in touch with news and developments in the military world. commodation in Dublin City. Also, due to the Alien Act 1935, anyone who has lived outside of Ireland for over two years has to make an appeal to get listed for social housing and welfare; this has affected a number of former DF members who went to live in the US, Canada or Australia – so they are assessed and we help them if possible. We also assist the Homeless Section of Dublin City Council when asked. " Following the success of Brú Na bhFiann, two smaller homes have been opened by ONE: Beechwood House, Let- terkenny (2004), and Custume House, Athlone (2006). These homes and two drop-in centres in Limerick and Dundalk receive no government funding and rely solely on ONE fund- raising to keep them open. Dick says he held this open day to show the truth about the home, its work and its residents and to discredit base- less rumours on social media sites that the home housed 'wasters, drunks and hobos' and that some of the staff were on excessive wages. "There's no one working in any of the homes on anything above the average industrial wage, let me tell you," he says. Since opening, Brú Na bhFiann has accommodated over 6,000 visitors (B&B) and has housed 140 ex-service person- nel (not including the current 29 residents) on both a long- and a short-term basis. The home is well thought of within the international military veteran fraternity and recently hosted a visit from members of the Royal British Legion, who say that nothing similar is in place in the UK. Dick and Sinead both agreed that fundraising in current times is hard. Dick says, "The guys and girls of ONE still put on their blazers and go out and do it anytime they can!" ONE's main fundraising effort comes through its annual Fuchsia campaign. The fuchsia was chosen as the campaign emblem because for many it is a re- minder of home when seen overseas. Also, in the West of Ireland the fuchsia is also known as deora De ('God's tears'). The fuchsia initiative, first launched in 2009, involves the sale of a €2 badge inscribed with 'Cuimhnímis' ('let us remem- ber') - in remembrance of those who have served in the Defence Forces. While the Fuchsia campaign raised €52,000 last year, it is sobering to know that the UK's Poppy appeal raises €250,000 an- nually in Ireland. Since 1986, it is estimated that 4,700 have retired on pension from the DF, so there is a large amount of veterans out there who could potentially help fund these ONE initia- tives and help spread the word by wearing a fuchsia. If even a fairly small percentage of those who have retired from the DF and those still serving purchased one €2 Fuchsia badge a year Brú Na bhFiann and the other homes would be funded without worry. Let's hope 2015, is a better year for the Fuchsia campaign. Most of us will feel better or humble if we help those who have worn the uniform before us and who have now fallen on hard times or are without a roof over their heads. So I ask you, never look down upon someone unless you are helping them up.

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