Large crowds cheer on Champions for HOPE

All Ireland camogie winners rally for HOPE

Wexford’s double winning All Ireland stars raised over €2000 for the HOPE Foundation following their æChampions for HOPE’ charity match at O’Kennedy Park, New Ross last night (Wednesday, September 14th).

Supporters from across the county, turned out in force to watch Wexford Seniors and Intermediates play out a sporting exhibition match. Both sides are managed by JJ Doyle and the event was attended by Camogie President Joan O’Flynn and HOPE Foundation Manager Madeleine Cummins. æChampions for HOPE’ also coincided with an after-match civic reception by New Ross Town Council.

The HOPE Foundation, established in 1999, currently funds 60 projects, including crÞches, child protection homes, clinics, hospitals, coaching centres, vocational training centres and childwatch programmes. It is providing education to 20,000 children and primary health care to over 80,000 people in Calcutta.

Speaking about the æChampions for HOPE’ match Camogie President Joan O’Flynn:

“”On behalf of the Camogie Association I want to thank most sincerely Wexford Camogie; the Senior and Intermediate teams captained by Ursula Jacob and Colleen Atkinson and the people of Wexford, New Ross and the wider Camogie community who attended the æChampions for HOPE’ match last night. Their generosity was magnificent and will greatly enhance the work of the HOPE Foundation and make an enormous difference in the lives of children living in Calcutta.””

Madeleine Cummins, Manager of the HOPE Foundation said:

“”The support of the Camogie Association has been overwhelming. To see the women of Ireland rallying around to support their less privileged peers in Calcutta is truly amazing and uplifting considering the economic times we are in. We are hugely grateful for all the support we have received and very much look forward to building a lasting relationship with the Camogie Association.

I would like to say a special thank you to President Joan O’Flynn, the winning captains Ursula Jacob and Colleen Atkinson and their respective teams for turning up to play in the æChampions for HOPE’ match in addition to members of Wexford Camogie Board, Geraldine O’ Hanrahans Club, New Ross and also New Ross Town Council.””

Donations were accepted in lieu of an admission fee at the æChampions for HOPE’ match while a collection also took place in the grounds.

o Wexford won the All Ireland Senior championship in association with RT+ Sport, for the second year in a row, defeating Galway on a scoreline of 2-7 to 1-8 at Croke Park on Sunday September 11th. Wexford Intermediates captured the Intermediate title, defeating Antrim 2-12 to 0-15, also at Croke Park.

o Wexford Seniors and Intermediate teams are managed by JJ Doyle.

o æChampions for HOPE’ raised funds for the HOPE Foundation the chosen charity of the Camogie Association for 2011. For further information on the HOPE Foundation go to www.hopefoundation.ie

o The HOPE Foundation was set up initially to fund one girls home. Today, the HOPE Foundation funds 60 projects in health care, education, vocational training, drug rehabilitation and child protection.

o The HOPE Foundation works with 16 Indian NGO partners to rescue thousands of children off the streets and from poverty in slums. This includes children trapped in child labour, the children of sex workers, special needs children and orphaned children.

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