Further moves on Transplant Games

An effort to get the maximum number of people to the 2 February public meeting relating to the upcoming European Transplant & Dialysis Games is now well under way.

Two preliminary meetings have already been held, the first with the Games organiser, Colin White of the Irish Kidney Association, in the middle of last week.

At a second meeting last night, John Martin outlined the details of the Games, as given by Colin White.

"The Games themselves are a means to an end, to raise awareness of organ donating," he said. "They also show that transplant recipients can live full and active lives."

He noted that, compared to events such as the Special Olympics and the World Transplant Games, the European Transplant & Dialysis Games are relatively small, but they require a big organisational effort.

There are two areas where help is needed for the European games, which are being held in August. The first is volunteers to help with the actual running of the week-long event, which will be based in Dublin's Northside. In addition to general organisational duties, there is scope for groups who can work in particular events.

"There are also in the programme visits for the participants to places including the National Stud," John Martin said. "That could be where a group of County Kildare volunteers could take charge."

There will also be a need for fundraising prior to the Games, to pay for requirements beyond food and lodging which the budget of Ä600 per competitor affords.

"But this fundraising has to be carefully done so that it doesn't conflict with anything already in train on behalf of the Irish Kidney Association," John Martin said.

The other local involvement will include spreading the message to the various sporting and community organisations in Kilcullen. Noel Clare brought to the meeting a list of contacts for most of these, and said that he could send letters to each very quickly.

John Martin noted that, because it would require Garda child protection clearance for every adult involved, the Games did not have participation of under-18s. That also meant that there couldn't be direct volunteer involvement by underage children. "But there are jobs, like filling sports bags for the participants, which can be done by young people," John Martin said.

Caroline Dempsey, who has been involved for several years in the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund participation in the Flora Womens Mini Marathon, suggested that Leaving Certificate students could be recruited as volunteers, who would be 18 at the time of the Games, and would still be waiting for their results.

She also suggested that posters to recruit volunteers might be placed where they gathered, such as Fas offices.

The direct local points of contact for the project are Phena Bermingham at 087 9767531 or Caroline Dempsey at 087 2562563.