We are delighted to confirm that, on Sunday May 8th, Dalymount Park will host a community-organised event that is aimed at providing real support for refugees now living in our community.

This event, from 12pm to 6pm, is being organised by a number of community organisations and services across Dublin’s inner-city and beyond.

Bohemians have been working closely together with these organisations over the past number of weeks and months to try to come up with a response that can actually improve the lives of those fleeing the unimaginable trauma of war.

We are sure that all of you have been horrified by events in Ukraine since its invasion, and indeed events in other war-torn countries.

Many of you will have wanted to contribute to bettering the experience of refugees now living in our community, but may have felt helpless when it comes to trying to find a way to do so.

That is why we hope that as many of you as possible will help out in whatever way you can in what we hope will be an all-hands-on-deck approach at this event next month.

The objectives of the day are two-pronged:

1. To introduce refugees in our community to services that they can avail of and become a part of. For example: sports clubs, youth clubs, English classes, drama societies, arts and craft classes etc.

2. To have a family-friendly event that welcomes people into our community in a space where we share and provide food, refreshments, music, activities, camaraderie and solidarity.

To that end, and with Dalymount Park playing host, we want as many of the Bohemian Family to get involved in as many areas as possible:

On-the-day volunteering: This will include stewarding, decorators, face-painters, food servers, musicians.

Donations: Provision of food and refreshments for the event i.e. sandwich-makers, donations of fruit, cakes, confectionery etc, donations of beverages including bottles of water, soft drinks, squash etc, donations of arts and crafts supplies etc.

Service providers: We have the biggest membership and highest number of community partners in our club’s history. We hope that some of you with involvement in community organisations and service providers, if deemed suitable by event organisers, can complement those already lined up, and introduce and familiarise your services with those in attendance.

To give you an idea of how the current plan of the day, areas of Dalymount Park are being designated as follows:

Jodi Stand: Stalls will be located along the perimeter fence in front of the pitch where community organisations and service providers can inform those in attendance how they can get involved. These will include sporting clubs, youth clubs, drama societies, arts and craft classes, English language classes etc.

Pitch (sidelines and behind goals only): Fun football exercises/drills/small-sided games overseen by Bohemian FC Academy and youth coaches, boxercising, other outdoor activities for children.

Jameson Bar: Art and craft classes for children, and face-painting.

Members Bar: Food and refreshments for all, and family-friendly movies on the big screen.

Phoenix Bar: Open music session with traditional music from Irish musicians and, hopefully, from musicians from Ukraine and beyond.

Let’s show the best of what we are, and do our best to alleviate some of the trauma that people coming to our shores have had to endure.

If you are willing to volunteer, donate supplies, or are interested in your organisation having a stall at the event, please register your interest here.

For further queries, please email Luke O'Riordan at pro@bohemians.ie.