Back to School fundraisers for Maintain Hope children
Just like thousands of families across the country, Maintain Hope is getting ready to send “our” children back to school in Kenya, writes the charity's founder Gerry O'Donoghue. To support these children and their families we are organising two contrasting fundraising events in the coming weeks.
Esther and Joe Dooley and their family will be throwing their home open to tea drinkers, coffee addicts, talkers, meeters, greeters and the general public on Saturday August 26 for a post-summer get together, starting at 11am. An opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours before the year turns. Combined with a beautiful setting and the Dooley family’s legendary hospitality, it’s an event not to be missed.
On September 23, a troop of intrepid trekkers will scale Lugnaquilla, Wicklow’s highest peak and higher than any other mountain in Leinster. Brought forward to September this year to allow for more daylight, we are hoping to build on last year’s success. It’s an enjoyable scenic trek but it is challenging so an ability to handle uneven ground and a reasonable level of fitness is needed.
We are asking that each individual, couple or family group would raise €100 in sponsorship, but anyone who wants to undertake the Challenge is welcome. Sponsorship cards are available from Esther Reddy on 087 9450634 and Gerry O’Donoghue on 087 2642887.
The walk will set off from Fenton’s famous pub in the Glen of Imaal at 10am and return there for some light refreshments afterwards. This is a unique opportunity for a very different Sunday walk and, while challenging, is an achievable and rewarding experience. We are grateful to Frank Mitchell, an experienced mountaineering hand, for being our mountain guide again this year.
Currently Maintain Hope is supporting 72 children in Kenya. Two students have been accepted for admission to nursing college. Both these girls are the first from their communities to complete Secondary education not to mention the first to attend Third Level. Already our oldest student has just qualified as a Primary Teacher and our very youngest will be starting Nursery School.
We have asked Kilcullen for help before, several times, and the answer was always a resounding ”Yes”. We are asking again now with the comforting knowledge that your generosity is already working wonders for otherwise children and families without hope. Thank you all for your support and goodwill. There is always hope.
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