Ray D’Arcy launches Family Day, 15 May

One Family & EBS Building Society announce details of Free Family Day Picnic to be hosted in Iveagh Gardens on 15 May. Ray D’Arcy calls on people to celebrate families on 15 May to mark International Day of the Family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Day of the Family, on 15 May 2011, is an annual celebration of the diversity of families and family life across the world. Speaking today broadcaster Ray D’Arcy explained, “Mothers’ Day is for mums and Fathers’ Day is for dads but Family Day is for everyone to celebrate all types of families.” He added: “Everyone is so busy these days that family members don’t spend as much time together as they once did. Family Day aims to rectify this by simply encouraging families to have fun and spend more time together.” Ray D’Arcy was speaking at today’s  announcement that this year to mark International Day of Family – One Family and EBS Building Society will be hosting a Family Day Picnic in The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.

Families are invited to a free day of fun in The Iveagh Gardens on 15 May and are encouraged to bring picnics to enjoy together. Activities available to families on the day will include arts and crafts workshops, story telling, fun sports activities and entertainers for all the family.  If you can’t make the picnic why not organise your own event to celebrate your family in the week leading up to Family Day by logging on and registering on www.familyday.ie. Everyone who registers for Family Day can be in with a chance to win €1,000* by simply submitting a photograph from their ‘Family Day’ to www.familyday.ie.

Speaking about International Day of the Family, Aidan Power, Head of Marketing at EBS Building Society, said: “EBS is delighted to be partnering with One Family to celebrate International Day of the Family. Local EBS’ all over the country are promoting Family Day and asking people to register an event or join us for the Family Day Picnic in the Iveagh Gardens on Sunday 15 May. We hope lots of picnickers will come out in force as we have some great family entertainment, sports activities and workshops lined up for an action-packed day – all free of charge.”

Karen Kiernan, Director of One Family, the national organisation for one-parent families, said: “We are delighted to have EBS on board to encourage everyone to celebrate their family. We know that families are not all the same but we believe all families matter equally. It is the quality of the relationships and the love that is important, rather than exactly who is in your family.”

“If you decide to hold your own event, register at www.familyday.ie and then submit a photo of the event and you could win €1,000* in a prize draw. The type of family event you hold is entirely up to you and can be held any time during the week of Monday 9 May leading up to Family Day on Sunday 15 May. Organisations may want to organise a family themed arts and crafts project, or a story telling hour or even a formal talk. Families may prefer to have a family outing such as a treasure-hunt, or a family X-Factor competition. See www.familyday.ie for loads of ideas.”

Karen Kiernan adds, “We’d be delighted if people would consider turning their events into fundraisers for our askonefamily national helpline which gives support, information and a listening ear to lone parents going through a difficult time, because sometimes it isn’t easy being mum and dad.  It has seen a 25% increase in calls due to many factors including the financial impacts of the recession. Families are under more pressure in the current environment and it is important that a service like the askonefamily helpline is there to support families during these times. All the details are on www.familyday.ie.’

*Terms and conditions apply

Ends

For further information contact:

Hilary Fennell, Communications Manager, One Family 01-6629212 /087-2359515

Notes to editors:

UN definition of the family: “any combination of two or more persons who are bound together by ties of mutual consent, birth and/or adoption or placement and who, together assume responsibility for, inter alia, the care and maintenance of group members, the addition of new members through procreation or adoption, the socialisation of children and the social control of members”.

For more information on UN International Day of the Family see www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/IDF.html

About One Family:
One Family is Ireland’s leading organisation providing specialist support services for people parenting alone and sharing parenting. Services include parenting and skills training, counselling, parent mentoring and a national helpline askonefamily which can be reached on 1890 66 22 12 or www.onefamily.ie