An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with ChildFund CEO Michael Kiely, Camogie CEO Joan O’Flynn, and Emilia Bennis (8) clutching our mascot at the Camogie Senior Final in Croke Park, Dublin. Photo Credit: Eleanor Collier
Dublin, September 11, 2017: Brian Mac Neill
Wow, what an extraordinary finish to a brilliant game of camogie yesterday as Cork edged out Kilkenny in a thrilling finale to the camogie season. Huge congrats to Cork on their magnificent achievement, particularly to our ambassador Aoife Murray, demonstrating again what an absolutely peerless professional she is. Commiserations too to Kilkenny who pipped Cork in last years final and came very close to doing so for the second successive year.
While camogie was undoubtedly the main event, the final also presented an opportunity for ChildFund to meet with distinguished dignitaries, and to explain why our partnership with the Camogie Association continues to go from strength to strength. We were delighted to speak to An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins to talk about our Dream Bike campaign to help disadvantaged girls in the developing world.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and ChildFund Board Director Eleanor Collier with Joan O’Flynn, Ard Stiurthoir of the Camogie Association (centre) at the 2017 Camogie Senior Final, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo Credit: Eleanor Collier
The campaign has simple objective; to provide bikes to girls who have to otherwise undertake long and often dangerous journeys by foot, just to attend school and get home safely. Long distances can interrupt or destroy the chances of children obtain a good education, often their only route out of poverty and disadvantage. This has particularly important ramifications for girls, often marginalised, discriminated against, or victims of gender based violence in their communities. It takes just €100 to buy a bike a change a life. The gift of a bike can be help girls attend school regularly and get home before sundown. Such a small thing can have such powerful and lasting positive impact. http://www.childfund.ie/dream-bike/
A huge thank you to our colleagues at the Camogie Association for looking after us so well on the day. A special note of appreciation too for little Emilia Bennis (8) who did such a brilliant job representing ChildFund on the day and reminding everyone of what our work is all about – children. Thanks Emilia for taking such good care of our mascot!
Emilia Bennis (8) representing ChildFund Ireland, the official charity partner of the Camogie Association, pictured here with President Higgins at the Camogie All Ireland Final 2017, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo Credit: Eleanor Collier
Please support our Dream Bike campaign for girls today. It takes just €100 to buy a bike and change a life http://www.childfund.ie/dream-bike/
ChildFund Ireland
