The house belonging to Barry O'Sullivan which is being sold off to aid Focus Ireland

Dragon's Den star Barry O'Sullivan has generously offered to donate his holiday home on the Aran Islands to help 15 homeless families.

The Silicon Valley entrepreneur has offered the proceeds from the upcoming sale of a six-bedroom house overlooking Inis Mór's Kilmurvey beach as part of a new campaign by Focus Ireland and COPE Galway to get "high net-worth individuals" to help with the homelessness crisis.

The 'Home from Home' initiative will allow both homeless charities to buy and refurbish homes for the homeless.

Barry's generous donation, expected to fetch at least €300,000 at auction on December 6, will provide the charities with deposits to buy at least 15 homes for homeless families or individuals, according to Focus Ireland founder Sister Stanislaus Kennedy.

"I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Barry and his family for this lovely gift. I thank him on behalf of Focus Ireland and the families who will have a place to call home because of this great act," she said.

COPE chief executive Jacquie Horan said the homeless crisis wasn't confined to the capital but had spread to other cities, including Galway, which faced an unprecedented number of homeless this year.

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"I know from my work with COPE Galway the terrible trauma families who are homeless go through. I also know charities like Focus Ireland and COPE Galway help many families and individuals to secure a home and escape from being homeless," said Mr O'Sullivan.

Irish Independent