Camogie and broadcasting stars unite for The Hope Foundation

Camogie and broadcasting stars unite for The Hope Foundation

Leading camogie stars and broadcasting personalities are uniting behind tefforts of an Irish charity, The Hope Foundation, to raise funds for the street and slum children of Calcutta.

Galway sharp shooter Aislinn Connolly and Kilkenny’s Elaine Alyward joined RT+ sports presenters Jacqui Hurley and Evanne Ni Chuilinn to launch the æCamogie for HOPE’ partnership at Croke Park this afternoon (Tuesday December 14th) with the President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn and Maureen Forrest, Hon. Director of The Hope Foundation.

The æCamogie for HOPE’ partnership will work to raise awareness of the work carried out by the charity and liaise on select fundraising initiatives including a charity æAll Stars’ camogie match;  details of which will be announced in January 2011. Furthermore, a fundraising run in Calcutta, the æKolkata 10K’ is taking place in the Indian city in March, with further information available on www.hopefoundation.ie.

The Hope Foundation works in Calcutta with young children living on the streets and in the slums of the city. Established in 1999, it funds over 60 projects in the Indian city, with an emphasis on healthcare, education, vocational training, shelter, child protection and drug rehabilitation. It works in conjunction with 16 Indian NGOs, and to date has reached out to over 22,000 children through education alone, and hundreds of thousands more through primary healthcare since it was first established.

Speaking at today’s launch President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn:

“”Even though we are going through difficult times in Ireland at the moment we are still relatively privileged compared to other parts of the world.  Our partnership with The Hope Foundation brings women and children of different continents together. As a female sport, we are now committed to playing our part in supporting women and children in Calcutta to move from lives of extreme poverty on the streets to build better futures for themselves and their families.   

The Hope Foundation has carried out sterling work to date through healthcare initiatives, education and shelter. We intend to create greater awareness of this amongst Camogie members. We will also support HOPE in its endeavours with several fundraising initiatives that will draw on the vast network of support within the organisation and the fantastic voluntary ethos of our members””.

Commenting on the partnership, Maureen Forrest, Hon. Director of The Hope Foundation:

“”We are delighted that the Camogie Association has “”adopted”” The Hope Foundation as its charity partner for the coming year.  We look forward to working with them on a number of exciting initiatives that will highlight the association’s values of Inclusiveness; Voluntarism; Respect; Excellence; Co-operation; and Fair Play; while at the same time raising awareness and funds to help change the lives of street and slum children and their families.””

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

ò Pictures from the æCamogie For Hope’ partnership launch are available from Sportsfile on www.sportsfile.com

ò The Hope Foundation was set up in 1999 to raise funds for one girl’s home. Today, The Hope Foundation (HOPE) funds over 60 projects in education, primary healthcare, shelter, vocational training, child protection and drugs rehabilitation.

ò Further details of the æKolkata 10K’ will be announced in early January by The Hope Foundation.

ò HOPE works primarily with the street & slum children of Kolkata (Calcutta) and the subsequent difficulties that these children encounter. The estimated population of street children in Kolkata is over 250,000. HOPE is currently reaching out to over 22,000 street children through education alone and hundreds of thousands more through primary healthcare, in partnership with Irish Aid.

ò HOPE aims to help break the cycle of poverty and abuse and free the street and slum children from a life of horror and fear.

ò The Hope Foundation is based at 3 Clover Lawn, Skehard Road, Cork
Tel: (021) 4292990. Website: www.hopefoundation.ie. Email: alison@hopefoundation.ie

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