Charities Page

16/01/2012

Firemen go to the aid of children in Mombasa, Co. Clare

Two well-known firemen are gearing up for a charity trip to Mombasa to assist with the construction of a new home for blind children. Kilkee Fire Station officer, Charlie McGrath and Ennis fireman, Danny Keller have been busy fundraising to help change the lives of blind children in Mombasa. They will be part of a group of about 200 from Clare and other parts of the country who will head off to Kenya as part of the 2012 Building of Hope Project. The crew of charity workers includes blocklayers, carpenters, electricians, tilers, painters, plasterers and labourers and is split into four groups of 50, who will be departing at different stages over the coming weeks.

The Building of Hope Project offers practical help, education, support and care to the less well off throughout the world. Every volunteer and committee member raised €3,000 each over the past number of months and all funds raised are used solely for the project. St Joseph’s Training School for the Blind chief executive officer, Brian Allen and his team have also freely given their expertise for the project. Brian and his staff will travel to Mombasa towards the final phase of the project to oversee the transition of the children to their new home.

Allen Flynn and his staff in the Old Ground Hotel have also made his hotels in Ennis and Kilkenny available to the committee at no extra cost. A committee spokesperson said all the volunteers would experience first-hand the huge difference they make to the lives of these children. Danny Keller, who is also a painter, was introduced to the charity by Dan Ryan, who spent some time working as a tiler on another Building of Hope project in 2009. This duo have raised €4,000 from fundraising ventures between them and have another €2,000 to collect.

Both will be heading to Mombasa on February 15 for 10 days, with Lorna Downes and Claire Liddy who are also part of Group Four. Other Clare volunteers include Ennis traffic warden Aidán Ó Murchadha and Danny’s wife’s aunt, Marie O’Neill. They have organised a table quiz in the Alymer’s Rest, Ennis, on January 26 at 8.30pm and hope to secure about 20 tables. Coláiste Muire, Ennis, is also conducting some fundraising events over the coming weeks. Danny is looking forward to painting a school and a house for blind children once it is constructed by other tradesmen.

Ennis assistant fire chief, Tom Bourke, gave the duo and Danny’s colleagues in the fire service permission to use fire tenders and dress in official uniforms during flag day collections for the project in 2009 and 2010. Danny said it was good to see the Clare Fire Service contributing to such a worthy charity. “It is a very good cause for all the firefighters to get involved in. All the firemen have been very generous with their contributions, which has been a huge help. The community are also good to the fire service. “I think it is good for children to see firemen raising money for charity and they love to get photographs with firemen during our flag days,” he said.

For further information on sponsorship, contact Danny at 087 9709011.

Dan Danaher / www.clarechampion.ie

06/12/2011

Emergency services vie for world record, Co. Waterford

Members of the local emergency services will be bidding for a new world record as they attempt to raise money for a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis (CF) unit in Waterford by kayaking from Wexford to Wales. The mammoth 65-mile trek will be undertaken by members of Waterford Gardaí, Tramore Fire Service and Waterford Marine Search & Rescue, who have already began training for the venture which will take anywhere between 16 and 22 hours. The idea was that of Garda Alan Magner, whose brother-in-law Robert Cooke, from Clare, suffers from cystic fibrois. Sadly, Robert’s twin died from the illness.

“Cystic Fibrois is often forgotten, despite the fact that Ireland has the highest reported incidents of it. The standards here are below par considering that the life expectancy of a CF sufferer is lower here than anywhere else in Europe. I’d like to change that,” Alan said. CF is a genetically inherited disease affecting mainly the lungs and the digestive system. It is critical that CF patients be treated in single rooms with en-suite facilities as to avoid cross infection which can be very dangerous for suffers, who have a weak immune system. Alan, who lives in Tramore but is a native of Clare, said the funds raised through the venture will go directly to Waterford. The cost of the unit is estimated at €200,000 and the participants of the venture and setting that as their benchmark.

“If we don’t raise that fair enough but we don’t want to set a lower bench mark for ourselves. We are asking the people of Waterford not only to support us but to get involved with fundraisers, especially families who have been affected by CF. This money is for the local community so we want everyone to get involved,” Alan said. Declan Barry of Waterford Marine Search & Rescue, whose members will be taking part and also assisting in the safety aspect of the trip said the trek will be weather permitting but it’s hoped to hold it in May of next year.

The group will be bidding for a world record as the largest group to kayak from Ireland to Wales and two female participants will be hoping they are the first women to achieve such a feat. While some of the group are keen kayakers, others are novices who are up for the challenge. Those taking part have been busy training already to help them cope with the huge physical demands of the journey. Donations are also massively appreciated and can be made through

www.mycharity.ie/event/waterfordcysticfibrosis/

If you would like to offer some help or get involved in fundraising events contact Alan on 087 9257105.

www.waterford-news.ie

Click here for event website

Firefighters are on the ball for charity, Co. Derry

Firefighters from Londonderry are to stage their first charity ball in three years to raise money for cancer victims. The black-tie event will be staged on Saturday, October 15, at the City Hotel in aid of those being treated by staff from the Foyle Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Tickets are now on sale for the gala evening, which will commence with a champagne reception at 7.30pm, followed by a five-course meal including wine, with live music by Pure Fresh.

A prize draw and auction will be held, with prizes up for grabs ranging from hotel breaks to sporting memorabilia. Firefighter Gavin Doherty, from Northland Road fire station, said: “It has been three years since our last Firefighters’ Ball which helped raise over £10,000 for local charities. Unfortunately, nearly everyone knows a friend, relative or colleague who has been diagnosed with cancer and we want to make this ball a huge fundraising event for these two fantastic charities, Foyle Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“We were delighted with the support we received for our last event and hope that we can surpass the £10,000 target this year.” Firefighters have praised all those who donated prizes for the night and have urged people who want to attend the charity ball to get in contact. Ciaran McGinley, head of fundraising at Foyle Hospice, said: “Our hospice depends greatly on the support of our local community in raising vital funds to continue to provide ongoing palliative care services for patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses and support for their families and loved ones, and the proceeds from this event will allow us to do that.

To buy tickets or make a donation to the Firefighters’ Charity Ball, phone Northland fire station on 028 7126 4321 and leave your details for a committee member to contact you.

Story in Tuesday 13/9/11 Belfast Telegraph

D-Watch Tallaght Annual Charity Cycle - UPDATE

Date has been confirmed for bucket collection this year. The date is 20/8/2011 in Dundrum Shopping Centre. The D-Watch Charity Cycle is looking for volunteers for this collection as this is where the bulk of our monies raised come from.

Even if you cant cycle you may be able to give a dig out at the collection!! If you can help out in any way at all contact one of the webmasters or go to the D-Watch Charity Cycle Facebook page for more info.

D-Watch Tallaght Annual Charity Cycle

Charity cycle 2011 from Tallaght Fire Station to Kilkenny Fire Station
Aug 27th.

The chosen charity for this years cycle is

www.materfoundation.ie

D-Watch Tallaght Annual Charity Cycle Facebook Page

Twelve by Two

Twelve by Two Facebook Page

Firefighter Geoff Tracey (Dolphins Barn Fire Station) and Garda Peter Murtagh stationed in Dublin are undertaking a bit of a challenge. They are attempting to do 12 Marathons in 12 Months for 2 very good causes. Geoff is doing them on behalf of the Special Care Baby Unit in the Coombe womens hospital and Peter is doing it on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society. Your support would be of great help to the 2 Lads. Well done to both of you.

Clare Firefighters Charity Car wash in aid of the Clare Crusaders

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service recently took part in a Charity Car Wash to raise money for Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic.

The day was a massive success with €7,222.61 being raised. Fire Ireland would like to say a BIG well done to all the Firefighters who gave up their day to help out & to everybody who gave generously

For More Photos Click Here

Newtownhamilton Fire & Rescue Service Charity Car Wash

The Liver Support Group committee extended their sincere thanks to Newtownhamilton Fire and Rescue Service for hosting the very successful Charity Car Wash that took place on Saturday 18th June on the Commons and making the event fun filled for all those involved.