Camp Claddagh Ends Year On A High Note

Camp Claddagh, the Galway branch of the Chernobyl Children's Project has completed their programme for 2008. The group were delighted to be able to fund and host the 46 children who travelled as part of the rest and recuperation program in July this year.

The group have also paid the final instalment for their first 'Home of Hope' which cost €50,000 in total. The purpose of the home is to take up to 10 children from an orphanage and place them in a loving family home.

Fiona Conneely, Group Leader for Camp Claddagh shared the news at the recent AGM. 'We have the home paid for; the foster parents are currently living in the home, even though work is still being carried out on the house. The first two children have also moved in, the youngest of which is a three year old orphan who was destined to spend her days in an orphanage'. The other children will move in shortly. Camp Claddagh has also paid a deposit for a second home, which they hope to fund over the next two years.

The group are also using funds raised this year to pay for another 10 children to have life saving cardiac surgery. This will bring the number to 27 children in total that will have benefited in the past three years from this type surgery after receiving funding from Camp Claddagh. A further €10,000 has been allocated to a number of in country aid programs that will be used to help terminally ill children as well as a child with severe disabilities in need of long term care.

The group had a number of fundraising events throughout the year on a local and national level. The recent run by ultra-athlete Richie Donovan from Mizen Head to Malin Head raised €35,000 euros. The Chernobyl Candles on sale earlier in the year with the help of Yankees of Abbeygate street raised €20,000. The group also benefited from the Mayoral Ball held in May. Particular thanks were paid to Richie Donovan, for his mammoth achievement as well as the support crew and major sponsors of the run, Classic Tiles and The Kings Head, Lohan's Pharmacy and Cllr Tom Costello.

'We are delighted and extremely grateful. People of Galway from all walks of life continue to support us and help us help the children', said Shane Lennon fundraising and PRO of Camp Claddagh. 'We owe great thanks to the business sector and to the public for their overwhelming support again this year'.

Meanwhile the group are waiting in anticipation, for what they hope will be a 'positive' outcome to the ongoing negotiations in Belarus. The rest and recuperation programme remains the main area of focus for Camp Claddagh and they hope to continue this in July of 2009; Plans for which are already underway in the hope of a resolution being found, to the continuing ban on travel of children from Belarus.

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