As Christmas lights brighten our streets and families prepare for celebrations, it's a sobering reminder that not everyone experiences this season with joy. For some across Waterford and the South East, the festive period brings profound loneliness and struggle. But one story from this year offers powerful hope—a testament to what becomes possible when a community refuses to turn away.

At 19, Mark spent Christmas alone in a broken-down car, battling epilepsy, rats, and crushing loneliness. This is how the kindness of strangers helped him find a place to call home.

Tammy Darcy, Founder and CEO of The Shona Project, meets President Barack Obama

The event saw over €160,000 in funds raised for four local charities this year