Irish celebrities came together this week to show their support for Simon Week 2009 and to help raise awareness around the issue of homelessness in Ireland. Simon Week 2009, supported by EBS Building Society, kicked off on Monday the 5th of October and will involve an intense awareness campaign across the eight Simon Communities throughout Ireland for the duration of the week.

The Leinster and Munster team put their rivalry aside on the eve of their big clash to support Simon Week 2009 and to encourage people to do as much as they can to help end homelessness in Ireland. Speaking today Peter Stringer, Munster rugby player, said: "Raising awareness about homelessness in Ireland is important to me. I'm supporting Simon Week 2009 and I hope you will too - the work that Simon are doing with the support of EBS is phenomenal. Throughout the country Simon Communities work with some of the most vulnerable people in our society. They provide the care and support that these people need to get their lives back on track."

Irish music sensation; The Script, Tipperary Hurler Lar Corbett, Irish model, TV presenter and journalist Laura Bermingham, former Miss Ireland, Sinead Noonan and the Dublin Gospel Choir also came out to show their support for Simon Week 2009.

Patrick Burke, Chief Executive of Simon Communities of Ireland, said: "Simon Week represents a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of homelessness in Ireland, and to take action to bring homelessness to an end. During our seven days of action on homelessness we are calling on members of the general public, politicians and business people to visit www.simon.ie and find out more about the seven actions you can take to help end homelessness in Ireland."

The activities planned over the course of Simon Week are designed to help educate people about the issue of homelessness.