Nominations open for AIB Community €1 Million Fund

Nominations for the annual AIB Community €1 Million Fund are now open and will support over 70 local charities in Ireland. The fund has supported over 220 charities to date, including local Leinster charities Cois Nore, Kilkenny Cancer support centre, Marie Keating Foundation, Wicklow Cancer Support, and St Patrick’s Special School.

AIB invites customers, employees, and the public to nominate registered charities that align with their causes and communities. The fund will be distributed online, with €700,000 allocated to customer and community-chosen charities, and €300,000 to employee-chosen charities.

Nominations are open for six weeks until 25 June. The nomination form and full details are available on aib.ie/community. Customers and the public must submit the registration number of the charity they are nominating.

Once confirmed, the top six charities chosen by customers and communities in each region receive €20,000, while the top six chosen by AIB employees receive €6,000. If nominated in both Funds, they receive €26,000. The selected charities will be announced in early autumn.

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Vincent de Paul Appeal

The Kilcullen St Vincent de Paul Society would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated to the Annual Christmas Appeal at masses last weekend. If you did not get a chance to donate and would like to, there are still opportunities for you to do so. 

You can pick up an envelope at the back of Kilcullen or Gormanstown church and place your donation in it. The front of the envelope indicates where you can hand in your donation. Otherwise, you can donate directly using the following bank details for Kilcullen St Vincent de Paul: IBAN: IE10 BOFI 901140 12323210 BIC: BOFIIE2D. 

All money collected will be used to support people in need in the Kilcullen area this Christmas. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Christmas message from Maintain Hope

I am busy visiting our families in Ngong in the run up to Christmas, writes Gerry O'Donoghue of Maintain Hope. Accompanied by Julius, whom readers may remember from his visit to Kilcullen, we are distributing food and medicine.

The new school year commences here in January, so we are busy finding secondary and third level places for our students who have completed their current phase.

Unseasonal rains have made life difficult for many, with flooding and poor sanitation leading to sporadic outbreaks of typhoid fever. Thankfully, all of our children who were affected have recovered. Reaching some of our families over flooded and eroded roads is quite an adventure.

Thanks to our generous supporters and volunteers, we are still able to engage respectfully with our families in Ngong and we are making tangible and lasting improvements to their lives. Everyone here sends best wishes to everyone at home. Julius and some of the older children regularly read the Diary and are very familiar with Kilcullen.

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Maintain Hope's Christmas Party for children

We are currently enjoying the Maintain Hope Christmas Party, writes the charity's founder Gerry O'Donoghue from Kenya. Swimming, chicken and chips, a soda and later we will share a cake to celebrate the children’s birthdays of 2022.

We managed to gather most of our families together for this simple but happy celebration of our 72 children. The temperature here is 32 degrees. Not the Christmas weather I am used to but perfect for swimming.

All our children are safe and well and enjoying their break from school. We have been busy finding school places and internships for the older students and we are all set for the new school year which begins in January.

Our thanks and greetings to all who support us. We can only do this work because of their kindness. There is always hope.

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A Christmas thank you from Maintain Hope

It has been a tough time here in Kenya, writes Gerry O'Donoghue of Maintain Hope. The level of poverty is difficult to describe but at least with the families in our support network, we are making a difference. We are constantly fielding requests for help from community organisations and the local authorities. We are anxious not to over-promise or to over-extend our resources but it is difficult to say no when the need is so great.

It’s remarkable how many families are held together by grannies. Like Mary in this picture who gathers her grandchildren around her with quiet determination, it falls to women like her to take the place of the missing generation. They are missing because of abandonment, HIV, addiction or health issues. Practically all of our network families are without a male role model. 

Julius Arega, who voluntarily heads up Rays of Hope, has become a big brother and father figure to the children. His own experience of growing up in an institution has made him fiercely determined to keep as many families as possible together. With over 70 children from preschool to college in our network, Julius is constantly running around dealing with family crises, school issues and the ordinary events of family life where guidance is needed. 

Through the Diary, Esther Reddy, David Dempsey and myself wanted to reach out in gratitude to our many supporters who make our work possible. I wish I could adequately convey just how much difference every euro makes. From fixing a leaking roof to giving a gifted child a chance at education, every coin counts.

The children and their families want to send all your readers their thanks and best wishes for Christmas. There is always hope.

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Maintain Hope expects growing need in Kenya

The locally-based Maintain Hope charity are expecting that they will have to intervene more and more with families in Kenya in the coming weeks and months, writes Brian Byrne.

Charity founder Gerry O'Donoghue is travelling to Kenya soon to make arrangements for the new school year with the 70 children and their families Maintain Hope currently supports. "Thanks to our supporters, they are all healthy and attending full-time education," he told the Diary. "But the slums where we operate are becoming even more crowded because families are fleeing from drought affected areas. Pastoral families have lost everything as their livestock have died from thirst and lack of feed."

Noting that scarce resources and primitive sanitation make the threat of hunger and disease very real, he said that extended families are trying to help each other and even though they have very little, they are willing to share. 

"We would welcome any support which would help us to help them," he added, expressing his thanks to those who had participated in the recent Lugnaquilla Challenge and those who had supported them. "The challenge has 'climbed' to €4,050, and with some funds still to arrive this has hugely exceeded our expectations."

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Books and stuff sale for Maintain Hope this weekend

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo from Pexels.

A reminder that a books and bric-a-brac sale will be held in Kilcullen this Friday and Saturday, 5/6 November, in aid of the Maintain Hope charity, writes Brian Byrne.

The event will be held in the Town Hall between 10am and 4pm on both days.

Donations of books and saleable items can be left with David Dempsey in Halverstown NS, Esther Reddy at Whitehall Cottage, or with Frank Morrow at Moortown, Brannockstown.

It is the first public fundraising event held by the group in almost two years, and the proceeds will be used to support Maintain Hope's families in Kenya.

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Clear your wardrobe for Lent

The Vincent's shop in Kilcullen is participating in an interesting Lenten exercise, based on giving up clothes, writes Brian Byrne.

No, not as drastically as that sounds. The deal is that each day during Lent, people should take out one item from their wardrobe that they no longer wear or need, and put it into one of the shop's donation bags.

At the end of the 40 days of Lent, bring the bag to the Vincent's shop.

A donation bag is available from the shop.

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Maintain Hope targeted in Facebook smear campaign

The Maintain Hope charity founded by local man Gerry O'Donoghue in Kenya has become the target of a derogatory social media smear campaign, because it reported child trafficking by 'orphanage recruitment' to the Kenyan authorities, writes Brian Byrne.

This reporting resulted in threats to Maintain Hope workers and their community volunteers in the Ngong orphanage it supports, and the charity had to get restraining orders from the courts against the 'main players'.

Maintain Hope are pioneers in the Ngong area for reuniting children with their parents, and the traffickers 'have not reacted well', according to a message posted on the charity's Facebook page.

The social media hate campaign flared up after the charity posted a video of some of the 'players' transferring food bought by Maintain Hope for children in its own orphanage in Ngong to 'another location'.

Maintain Hope is asking those who are its 'friends' on Facebook to beware of posts and friend requests from strangers who don’t seem to have any profile. "Rufas Thomas is one, Chris somebody is another. They are now using social media to try to discredit our efforts. They are trawling through 'likes' and comments to trace friends."

News of the campaign has brought a flood of solidarity messages from people in Kilcullen and the surrounding area who are long-time supporters of the charity.

According to the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report published by the US State Department, modern slavery practices include the recruitment of children into 'orphanages' in order to attract donations, or to be used as forced labour. Several such institutions have also been found to be brothels for sex slavery.

Up to 90pc of the eight million children around the world living in institutions are believed to have at least one living parent. The report describes how some children are recruited into institutions by promising their parents education, food security, safety, and healthcare for their children.

Instead, in documented cases, such 'orphanages' have also kept children in poor health to elicit more sympathy and money from donors.

The 'orphanage recruitment' mode of child trafficking has been reported in Africa, eastern Europe, China, Nepal, Cambodia, Haiti, and in Central America.

This year both the US and Australia updated their guidelines to include Orphanage Recruitment as part of human trafficking.

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Julius to Gerry's rescue in Kenya

A sneaky robbery that left Gerry O'Donoghue without money, passport, phone or plane tickets on a recent trip to Kenya had a coincidence of the heartwarming variety, writes Brian Byrne.

Gerry, a co-founder of the Maintain Hope charity that helps the Shelter Children's Home in Ngong near Nairobi, had to cut short his trip after the theft, which he attributed in equal measure to 'stupidity, complacency and opportunism'.

But first he had to get back on the grid, so he could get the necessary documents to travel. He put in a call to Shelter's security advisers, Senaca. And who turns up but one of the Home's former residents, Julius Aregah Mroggy, who had been educated with the help of Maintain Hope and those back here who raise money for the project. Julius is now an investigator with Senaca East Africa.

"Julius accomplished in ten minutes what would have taken me a week to do on my own," Gerry says. "Confident, courteous and capable. Police, Consulate, ticket, sorted! The kindness shown to me by all at Shelter and in Ngong town almost made the the experience worthwhile. But what I will never forget is how Julius replied when I told him how glad I was to see him. "Well, I had to come to rescue my Dad."

What goes around ...

NOTE: This post was revised when I realised I had inadvertently written 'America' instead of 'Kenya'. BB

Charity table quiz series

Bardons is beginning a series of eight weekly Monday Table Quizes, starting Monday 24 October, each in aid of different local and national charities.

The winning table each week will get an €80 voucher for Bardons, and each weekly winning table and the runner up table will go through to a final event at the end to share in €800.

The first quiz is for St John's Ward in Crumlin Hospital. Starting times are 9pm.


Click on the ad for more information.

Vincent shop hits first birthday

It’s our first birthday, writes Alisha Hamblen, and everybody's invited to celebrate with the Vincents Charity Shop in Kilcullen on Friday 8 April, 10am-5.30pm. 

We can’t believe a year has flown by already, so call into the shop for a cup of coffee or tea and some snacks throughout the day. While you’re in the shop, take a look at our great selection of gently-used clothing for the entire family, jewellery, toys, books, games, DVDs and household goods.

Then on Sunday 10 April we’ll be holding a Car Boot Sale in aid of St Vincent de Paul, beginning at 8am. €10 for a table outside, €12-15 for a table inside.

Have you considered volunteering just four hours a week to help at our Kilcullen shop? We’re still in need of volunteers, especially for afternoons and Saturdays. Running the till, pressing clothes and sorting donations — there’s always something to keep you busy and help a worthy cause at the same time.  

No experience necessary; training is provided.  

Any questions, call into the shop Monday through Saturday or phone 045 480785.

Daffodil Day volunteers required

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary of Daffodil Day in 2007. Can you spare one hour of your day to help us?

Every Daffodil sold helps the Irish Cancer Society to provide quality care and emotional support to cancer patients and their families through our free nationwide nursing services.

With your help, on March 23, we aim to get everyone in Ireland wearing a daffodil –- the international symbol of hope –- and have this country ablaze with vibrant yellow blooms and other Daffodil merchandise.

Volunteers are required between 9am-2pm on March 23 to sell daffodils on Main Street and at the Gala Supermarket.

Please contact me on 087 9094380 or email me to participate in this worthwhile project!

Thanks a Bunch!

Nuala Collins.

Pool Challenge fundraiser for Seniors

KTK Landfill Ltd is sponsoring a 2,000 euros Charity Pool Challenge in McTernan's in aid of Kilcullen Senior Citizens.

The prize fund is a minimum and is guaranteed, but it may well be greater if the response is good.

There are four players per team and up to four subs may be nominated if required. Entry fee is 100 euros per team and the closing date for entries is February 28.

Application forms are available from McTernans or by phoning 087 1343569.

Brian Byrne.

Family buys special hospital beds

Funding for two special beds for Tallaght Hospital has been raised by the family of the late Billy Dowling, as a gesture of thanks to the hospital for the care they took of him while he was there.

The beds, which cost 4,000 euros each, have now been delivered to the hospital, and the Dowlings hope to repeat the exercise next year.

The money was raised by getting sponsorship for family members running in the Womens Mini Marathon; Billy's son Charlie dressed up in female clothing to take part.

"When Billy was there he had the benefit of this kind of bed when there were only two of them in the hospital," says his wife Sheila. "The least we could do was try and help them get some more."

She emphasises that it is the people of Kilcullen and surroundings who gave sponsorship for participation in the Marathon who have really provided the beds.

Brian Byrne.

Any Pence or Punts for Billy?

Billy Redmond has issued an appeal for local people to donate to the Irish Wheelchair Association any 'old money' they might have kept since the changeover to the euro.

Billy has been fundraising for the IWA for some ten years now, notably with his familiar Sale of Work each year.

He is offering to change any old money donated to his cause, in the Central Bank. And even if there are people who have stocks of old coinage and notes and wish to donate it to a charity of their own, he says he will also bring it to Dublin for changing on their behalf.

It is estimated that up to £300 million is still out there nationally, in jars and cans, under mattresses, even perhaps in the boots of cars.

Contact Billy on 087 6109362.

Brian Byrne.

Christmas show on Saturday

A Christmas show in Kilcullen Town Hall Theatre this weekend will raise funds for Barretstown, where seriously ill children from all over Europe can have a holiday which gives them back some lost childhood.

The Lost Toys script was written by Maureen Ward from Calverstown, director of the Talented Kids Performing Arts School, who is also Head of Musical Theatre at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

The show will comprise music, song, dance and drama on a seasonal theme, and the performers are children and young people from the mid-Kildare and West Wicklow area.

Performances on Saturday at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets 10 euros for adults and 7 euros for under 12, and can be booked at 087-2480348 or 045-485464.

Brian Byrne.

Bloom and friends for Beslan

Luka Bloom (below)and a host of friends will take part in a fundraising gig in the Riverbank Centre on Thursday night, to help the children of Beslan in Russia.

The Beslan massacre happened when 1,200 people -- schoolchildren, their parents and teachers -- were taken hostage by terrorists in September 2004, and then many were killed when a crossfire broke out between the terrorists and police

In all, 344 civilians were killed, 186 of them children, and hundreds more wounded.

Irishman Colin Goggins has set up a fund for Beslan. Colin arranges counselling for the survivors and families of the kids. And he brings some of the kids to Ireland. He has a website called www.beslanfund.ie/ [ED NOTE: Some of the photographs on the site are quite distressing.]

Among those performing on the night, presented by Luka Bloom, are Ronan Hally; Jason Donoghue; Eithne Ni Chatháin; Sabrina Dinan; Pat Timmony; Emily Whelan; Conor Byrne; and Aoife Kelly.

SVP Annual Appeal 2006

The SVP Annual Appeal takes place during SVP Week from 3rd to 10th December. Please give generously to your local SVP.

A collection will be taken at all masses in Kilcullen this coming weekend. It will replace the SHARE Collection.

A lo-call phone number is also available to take donations.

If you are in the Republic of Ireland use 1890 25 12 06.

Brian Byrne.