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 until 2007 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.
The theme tune was "Come On Everybody" by Eddie Cochran.
As with The Late Late Toy Show, Gay Byrne presented it wearing the jumper.
History
The 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 and 26 October 2007.
1989 event
The 1989 event took place on Friday 21 April, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne and was the debut of it. The only People In Need Telethon featured in RTE's Reeling in the Years.
1990 event
The 1990 event took place on Friday 4 May, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne, Gerry Ryan and Dave Fanning it decided just to hold to event only 2nd year at the time due to finical problems.
1992 event
The 1992 event took place on Friday 8 May, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne, Gerry Ryan and Derek Davis due to a RTE strike earlier in the year people through it might have been cancelled but still went ahead.
1994 event
The 1994 event took place on Friday 20 May, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne it was planned for charity work in both sides of the island of Ireland.
1996 event
The 1996 event took place on Friday 26 April, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne which a dog licked his jumper on the day.
1998 event
The 1998 event took place on Friday 24 April, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne and Gerry Ryan. The main event was Lorraine Keane.
2000 event
The 2000 event took place on Friday 5 May, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 18:30 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne. The main event was Westlife.
2004 event
The 2004 event took place on Friday 21 May, broadcasting live on RTÉ One from 19:00 with the opening segment being presented by Gay Byrne and Gerry Ryan. The main event was Charity 252.
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.
The final total raised by the telethon, as reported at the end of the programme, was €7,550,333.