Ireland's coin hoarders have contributed more than €7.5 million to charity, the fund-raising organisation, Pennies from Heaven announced today.
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Pupils from Loreto Junior School St Stephens Green at Pennies From Heaven reception. They are (front from left) Kitty McDonagh, Robyn O'Reilly and Hazel Bergin. Back (from left) Simone Dowling, Grace McGuinness, Kate O'Brien and Sinead McDonagh. Photo: Bryan O'Brien
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In the run up to the euro changeover last year, eleven charities united under the banner, Pennies from Heaven, appealling to the public to donate their old currency and foreign coins through banks and retail outlets.
At a reception in Dublin today, the charity announced €7,553,044 had been collected - over €1 million more than anticipated.
The launch was told that more than 250 people were required to count 160 different currencies, in what was described as one of the most successful fund-raising campaigns in the history of the State.
Some 15,000 volunteer collectors, 1,500 schools, 100,000 students, 3,000 retail outlets, were involved in the effort which received extensive media coverage and was endorsed by a host of stars.
The eleven charities set to equally share in the multi-million euro windfall include: Barnardos, Concern, Enable Ireland, Focus Ireland, Irish Cancer Society, Irish Heart Foundation, ISPCC, Irish Youth Foundation, The Mater Foundation, Simon Communities of Ireland and UNICEF Ireland.
But the charity's coffers could have been more than €100,000 lighter but for the work of the Garda. Last week, an armed gang raided the Pennies from Heaven counting centre in Clancy Barracks, Dublin, and tied up two staff members before making off €120,000.
A Garda operation led to two arrests and the recovery of the cash. A special tribute was made to two detectives involved in recovering the money.