The jingling of coins was heard around the State yesterday as events were held and collections were made for the RTÉ People in Need Telethon.
Since its inception in 1988, the telethon has raised more than €35 million for charitable organisations. Grants ranging from €150 to €50,000 have been received by thousands of organisations.
David Harvey, chairman of the People in Need Trust, said the response to this year's event had been "fantastic". He expected the amount raised this year "to exceed" the €5.3 million donated in 2004.
"What happened last night on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of events have taken place across the country over the last few weeks that have raised a whopping amount of money. We have also received some very generous corporate donations."
Telethon organisers try to provide money to lower-profile causes and charities. The money donated is carefully recorded and allocated to the county where it was pledged.
A team of swimmers from NUI Maynooth braved the drizzle yesterday to swim the length of the M50, some 44km, in a 15ft by 8ft swimming pool which was erected on Dublin's Grafton Street.
A Halloween themed event takes place in Ferbane, Co Offaly, at 11am today, in which some 120 choreographed zombies will line the town's main street and dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller. It is part of a worldwide bid to break the world record for the most people to dance the same dance simultaneously.
Donations to People In Need can be made by visiting www.telethon.ie or calling 1850 679 294.
