RTE Late Late Toy Show Appeal raises incredible charity sum in ...

BIG-hearted viewers of The Late Late Toy Show have raised more than ­€4million for charity.

The annual Christmas extravaganza aired on Friday night, with tens of thousands of kids and adults tuning in across the nation.

Brave Saoirse appeared on the show in 2020She inspired the Toy Show Appeal which has taken place every year sinceCredit: Andres Poveda / RTEOver €4million euro has been raised since last night's showCredit: Andres Poveda / RTÉ

The Toy Show Appeal was started in 2020 following brave youngster Saoirse Ruane’s ­appearance on the festive show, where she spoke about her battle with illness.

Since then, it has become a major tradition to raise funds for those in need, especially in the lead-up to Christmas Day.

The Galway girl’s family were left heartbroken after 12-year-old Saoirse sadly passed away back in March following her long battle with cancer.

The young girl won the nation’s hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, aged eight, to speak about her fight with cancer.

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.

This evening, RTE announced that generous members of the public had donated more than €4million already this year, with donations still accepted until tonight, as part of their fundraising drive.

In addition this year — in Saoirse’s honour — a grant of up to €150,000 will also be awarded to a selected charity.

In a statement, RTE said: “The Saoirse Ruane Grant will be issued as part of the 2025 appeal allocations and can be used over two years. The public can continue to donate by going to rte.ie/toyshowappeal, or with the appeal’s official donation partner, Revolut Pay.”

On Friday night, Saoirse’s mum Roseanna, dad Ollie, and sister Farrah Rose watched the Late Late Toy Show for the first time since her tragic death.

Her grieving mum opened up on her “mixed emotions” on the night, saying: “It’s a big day, a big day in any household that has little kids, with the Toy Show on tonight.

“Obviously, it’s mixed emotions in our house, but Farrah Rose is super excited and we’re gonna let her stay up as long as she’s able.”

During the programme, a group of talented kids appeared on air to perform a hit song from the ­popular musical, Wicked.

At the beginning of the performance, the cameras focused on the top of the Christmas tree in the studio where a gold star that read “Saoirse’s Star” was placed as a touching tribute to the young girl.

RTE announced today that the Toy Show total stood at a staggering €4,154,168.

The money will be distributed to various charities who will use the funds to help those in need.

Across the island of Ireland, 226 children’s charities have received 359 grants to date.

OLYMPIC HEROES

Also on the show, Olympic heroes Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley helped brave youngster Kirsty get her hands on this year’s top toys for children in need.

Kirsty’s mother had written to The Late Late Toy Show about her, explaining that Kirsty’s little sister Lauren had been in and out of Crumlin Children’s Hospital recently and how she had gone above and beyond in caring for her sibling.

As a reward, she took part in a trolley dash at Dublin’s Smyth’s toy store where the Irish relay heroes helped her stock up on toys for youngsters in Crumlin Hospital.

Lauren later told Patrick Kielty she was “very proud” of her big sister.

A grant has been named after the late star as part of the appealCredit: Andres Poveda / RTÉViewers were moved by a touching tribute to the little girl on the show last nightCredit: Social Media collect