"I hope it's freezin cold for you all tonight so you experience a glimpse of the pain of homelessness." 

That's what GAA stars who were about to sleep rough outside Dublin's GPO last night heard from footballer Eamonn Fennel as they settled down for a nationwide sleep-out to raise money for homeless charities last night. 

With 12 sleep-out events held across Ireland, the reality of the situation that the GAA players experienced was grim, but all were well aware of their privilege that this wasn't  a regular thing. 

For about 8,500 across the country however, homelessness is an issue every single day. 

The sleep-outs last night raised almost €200,000 for homeless charities and was organised by social action group Gaelic Voices for Change

Money raised will go to Peter McVerry Trust, DePaul, the Simon Communities, Focus Ireland and the Capuchin Day Centre and more homeless charities in Ireland.

We're bedding down for the night at the GPO, all more committed than ever to make a stand on this crisis. #HomelessnessIsNotNormal #SolidaritySleepout pic.twitter.com/bErOIZYyOj

— Ruairí McKiernan (@ruairimckiernan) December 17, 2017

Sleep-outs were also held in solidarity with the GAA players in New York, Boston and Quebec, with the largest event held outside the GPO where 100 players slept rough

Sleeping Dubs ???? pic.twitter.com/oU6UPqmM4H

— Gaelic Voices For Change (@GaelicVoices4Ch) December 17, 2017

#SolidaritySleepout pic.twitter.com/rZ9MrXzEev

— Gaelic Voices For Change (@GaelicVoices4Ch) December 17, 2017

Naas crew going strong. #SolidaritySleepout #HomelessnessIsNotNormal pic.twitter.com/d36Tl36DnZ

— Gaelic Voices For Change (@GaelicVoices4Ch) December 17, 2017

Volunteers were on hand throughout the night to collect donations and as the Dublin sleep-out finished, the players were left with the harsh reality of the homeless crisis 

As the GAA players finished up their commendable sleep-out and went to leave the GPO to return to their homes, three homeless people who had joined them in their makeshift shelter remained behind in the cold and rain.

As we leave to go home to our warm beds, this is the reality we leave behind.
These are the 3 homeless people who joined us on the sleepout #homeless #reality @GaelicVoices4Ch pic.twitter.com/ysGuFmvzbz

— EamonFennell (@EamonFennell) December 17, 2017

The players from across the country have been applauded for their efforts to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis and to raise such a substantial amount of money.

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