IRISH PEOPLE around the world raised €5 million to help children's charities as part of the Late Late Toy Show appeal.
After an extremely uncertain year, with children some of the most affected, the 2020 Late Late Toy Show went above and beyond to make things feel a bit normal again, just for a few hours.
And they succeeded.
It was less about the toys and more about the courageous, determined and clever kids who live on this island, and along with presenter Ryan Tubridy, last night's Toy Show inspired people in Ireland and across the world.
Together, Late Late Toy Show viewers raised more than €5.2 million to help children's charities in Ireland-- a breathtakingly generous amount to raise in any length of time-- in just over two hours.
Taking to Twitter, a spokesperson for RTÉ referenced the show's 'Roald Dahl' theme and quoted Matilda, stating: "'Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world'".
"Tonight, Ireland you found that and then some. The [Late Late Toy Show Appeal] has passed the 5 MILLION mark.
Thank you for sharing your fun, love and kindness to make tonight so special."
'Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.' - Matilda
Tonight, Ireland you found that and then some. The #RTÉToyshowAppeal has passed the 5 MILLION mark ❤️
Thank you for sharing your fun, love and kindness to make tonight so special.#LateLateToyshow pic.twitter.com/YYwfaZnmZR— RTÉ (@rte) November 28, 2020
The fundraiser was in place of the show's usual competition to win an extravagant prize, generally an all-expenses paid trip to some glamorous city-- but this year, it was all about the kids, and Irish people across the world opened their hearts.