Tag Archives: fundraising

SCARIFF Community College parents will host an Autumn/Winter Fashion Show in aid of the campaign to fund the school’s state-of-the-art astroturf development on Friday, October 28. The fun begins at 7.30pm, at the school, with prosecco on arrival and goody bags, full of mysteries. Once seated guests will be treated to a variety of outfits showcasing Autumn/Winter’s hottest trends with outfits from boutiques including Ailish McElroy, Joanne’s Killaloe, Frocks, Fine Rags, I-Spy clothing, Carraig Donn, All Occasions, Love it Fashions and many more. Fashion blogger Martina’s Mark will be on hand to provide lots of style tips. A prize of the perfect five-star getaway will be on offer for the most stylish attendee on the night. A bumper raffle and auction will be held at the interval, with dozens of prizes.  More details of the fundraising campaign are available on Instagram @scariffcc_sport  Anyone who cannot attend on the night can still enter the online raffle at idonate.ie

SPORTS and wellbeing groups from across the East Clare community are set to benefit from an all-weather, flood-lit astroturf facility being developed at Scariff Community College (SCC).  The state-of-the-art pitch, which will be encircled by a running track, was granted planning permission in 2021 and last February received a major funding injection from the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). A major fundraising drive will be launched next Tuesday night (May 31) with a view to making up the estimated €400,000 cost of the project.  The facility is set to have major benefits, not only for the 420-pupil school, but for a host of community and voluntary organisations in the wide hinterland of SCC. The 80m by 40m playing pitch and athletics track, which will have full floodlighting, will be used for PE classes as well as athletics, camogie, hurling, rugby and soccer. In addition, it will be accessible to local primary schools, active ageing and community games groups.  “This …

A FAMILY who left Ennis in recent years have opened their hearts, and their home, close to the Polish / Ukraine border to those fleeing the Russian invasion. Marcin Piotrowski and his wife Marina Sestasvili-Piotrowska who lived in Ennis for more than a decade with their children have been playing a key role in providing support to Ukrainian people escaping the conflict. As well as giving Ukrainians refuge in their guest house Chutor Gorajec in Poland, just a few kilmotres from the border, they have also been co-ordinating the gathering and distribution of vital supplies including food, tents, medicines and blankets for those still waiting to cross the border. Marcin and other volunteers regularly cross the border into Ukraine to bring donations to those in need, while Marina looks after those who have come to their guest house seeking shelter. A warehouse has been set up to house the donations which have been flooding in from all parts of Poland …

WITH demand for services at an all-time high, Rape Crisis Midwest relies on fundraising events to bridge the annual deficit. Against that backdrop, the service will run the Step up for Change event in January. “We are challenging people to walk with us ‘virtually’, raising awareness of the services of Rape Crisis Midwest to both men and women who have been affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse,” said Sharon Meaney, manager of the Clare Volunteer Centre. “You can challenge your friends, work colleagues, neighbours or buy a gift for Christmas that really makes a difference. “We have a new website, idonate.ie/stepupforchange, which will allow you to log your steps, access online resources provided by Tracy Guilfoyle of Heart, Health & Fitness and try out some delicious and healthy recipes shared by Frank Landy, Sweet ‘n’ Green.” Ahead of the launch, Ms Tarpey explained how people can get involved: “You can purchase a ‘Christmas Box’ for …

A NUMBER of sports clubs in Clare could “go to the wall,” after being unable to fundraise during the pandemic, a local councillor has warned. Councillor Mark Nestor told the May meeting of Clare County Council that while everyone welcomes the fact that clubs are allowed to return to some of their activities, concerns are mounting over their financial viability in the aftermath of the lockdowns. “It’s great that clubs can now go back to their activities,” he said. “That’s a very welcome thing, but some have been in touch about their rental costs when it comes to accessing facilities. It’s particularly true for soccer clubs. For example, they might have to rent twice in the week with training and then for their games. In some cases, they simply cannot meet the financial costs. That’s down to the fact they haven’t been able to fundraise for over a year. Some clubs have informed me that they will go to the …

Leading light of the Clare 250 Cycle Claire Nugent tells Fiona McGarry about the epic work in running the event THE Clare 250 Cycle is known the length and breadth of the county and has involved hundreds of participants from every town, village and townland since it first took to the road in 1980. The event has been the vital fundraiser for the Clare 250 Lourdes Pilgrimage, whereby cyclists have nominated cancer patients in their own communities and undertaken the challenge of raising funds for them to travel. The cycle has also funded the Clare 250 Centre in Ballygriffey, an oasis of calm in a woodland setting. What isn’t as well known is the military-style operation that has gone on behind the scenes of the cycle, keeping participants fed and hydrated on the 250-mile journey into almost every corner of Clare. For four decades, Ennis woman Claire Nugent has been to the forefront in rallying the troops and keeping the …

MORE than €13,000 has been raised for Crumlin Children’s Hospital (CHI) by a Feakle family whose youngest member had open-heart surgery at the facility almost a year ago. Freya Hayes, who will celebrate her first birthday next month, was diagnosed with a serious heart defect shortly after birth. Thanks to the team at CHI, Freya has now fully recovered and her family and the local community have been able to make a substantial donation so that other children might be as fortunate. Freya’s mum, Avril Collentine told The Champion the family had had “a roller coaster year” in 2020, with the pandemic complicating an already challenging situation. Just as mum and baby were ready to go home to dad Henry and Freya’s older brother, Harry, an ultra-sound scan detected an issue. The images were sent to CHI, where specialists spotted a hole in Freya’s heart. After the team at Crumlin recommended open-heart surgery, the family returned home to allow Freya …

VOLUNTEERS with the Irish Red Cross in Clare completed more than 8,000 hours helping the people of Clare last year, with the organisation vowing to continue supporting those in need into 2021 despite Covid-19, However, in order to achieve this the Irish Red Cross will need the people of Clare to help them, with the organisation making a renewed appeal for support in their ongoing fundraising efforts. An online fundraising campaign has been launched aiming to raise €20,000 for the Red Cross in Clare, with just over €2,200 pledged so far. James Lafferty, Irish Red Cross Clare Area Treasurer and Community Support Officer paid tribute to the organisation’s volunteers and loyal supporters as he urged members of the public and local businesses to get behind the Red Cross. “Despite Covid-19  which hit all of us in March 2020 and which is getting a whole lot worse at this time at the start of 2021 we plan to continue supporting the …