The first summer of this millennium has been characterised by horror stories about young homeless people, particularly on Dublin's streets.
Whatever their reasons for leaving home, most are on the streets because they fail to fit in, in whatever accommodation is available or are turned away because of behavioural problems.
Father Peter McVerry provides accommodation for up to 30 homeless boys between 16 and 18 in his three Dublin hostels in Ballymun, Drumcondra and Glasnevin. And he's been doing this work for 15 years. Ten years ago, Welcome Home was set up to raise funds to support his work. The group insists on remaining in the background - any publicity goes to Father McVerry's work.
Welcome Home organises an annual Wexford Cycle - this means a cycle of over 80 miles from Dublin to Wexford - which this year takes place on Saturday, starting from the Belfield Bridge on the Stillorgan Road at 9 a.m. and ending in White's Hotel in Wexford town at . . . well, whenever they finish.
"It takes nearly four hours," said one obviously fit cyclist who did it last year, "but up to eight hours for people who would be going slowly. Nobody has ever not made it in the 10 years."
He says to be really cycling fit, you would need to have been out on a bike three times a week for four weeks beforehand.
All expenses are kept to a minimum and as much as can be provided is done voluntarily - back-up cars, refreshments, a repair van from Belfield Bikes and ambulances from the Civil Defence. Lisneys are sponsoring the cycle.
Participants have to raise £300 before they can take part - £35 as a deposit and £265 in sponsorship. The most the cycle has ever raised is £52,000 - this year Welcome Home hopes to exceed this figure.
Corporate or individual donations can be sent to Welcome Home's bank account at AIB, 64-71 Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, account number 30997069. Welcome Home can be contacted on (01) 2691920.