The People in Need Trust
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The People in Need Trust is a charity in Ireland.
Its main fundraiser, the RTÉ People in Need Telethon, was first broadcast by RTÉ since 1989. Supported by Eircom (formerly Telecom Éireann), it is the main source of funds for The People in Need Trust, which has raised €35 million to date.
History
People in Need telethon took place 9 times. 21 April 1989. 4 May 1990. 8 May 1992. 20 May 1994. 26 April 1996. 24 April 1998. 5 May 2000. 21 May 2004. 26 October 2007.
2007 event
The 2007 event took place on Friday 26 October, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 19:00 with the opening segment being presented by Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh. Following the Nine O'Clock News, Ryan Tubridy hosted the telethon, with Laura Woods in charge of a telephone auction, and Kathryn Thomas reporting from the Eircom call centre. Clint Velour and the Camembert Quartet provided the musical entertainment for the night with guest singers Dana, Franc (Peter Kelly), Caroline Morahan, Brian Ormond, Tom McGurk, Paul Byram and Gráinne Seoige.
After midnight Charlie Bird did Jason Byrne's Anonymous as "Charles Black" where he fooled colleagues Pat Kenny, Derek Mooney, Joe Duffy, Eileen Dunne and Colm Murray and politicians Willie O'Dea, Mary O'Rourke, Michael D. Higgins and David Norris. However Sharon Ní Bheoláin and George Lee recognised him instantly.
Lucy Kennedy, magician Keith Barry, comedian Karl Spain, boxer Bernard Dunne, Kristina Grimes of The Apprentice and sports broadcaster Eamon Horan partook in this event. Grimes won the game, which Paddy Power bookmakers had sponsored for €30,000.
Podge and Rodge finally got to interview their nemesis and ultimate rival, Late Late Show host Pat Kenny. "Do the words lamb and slaughter mean anything to you?" He was asked: "Does it get on your tits though when people are saying, Jaysus – Pat Kenny earns how much? He should be paying me to watch that shite!" He was also asked: "Where did the nickname Pat the Plank come from? Who came up with that beauty?" Pat blamed it on Eamon Dunphy. "Are you bored with the wood puns?" they asked to which Pat jibed: "In fairness lads I'm not the puppet round here." Then it was time for a quick game of "Plankety Plank" which featured author Patricia Cornwell – he'd forgotten her name; Dawn French – he'd told her he'd give her €10,000 not to get out of bed; Brigitte Nielsen – she'd forced him to dance live on TV. Comparing Pat's bike to Gaybo's Harley-Davidson they asked: "Did Fisher Price make that?" And then it was back to Tubbicino, Teletubby.
The final total raised by the telethon, as reported at the end of the programme, was €7,550,333.