Overwhelming public support to raise funds

ORGANISERS of fundraising walks to raise money for earthquake victims in South East Asia have been overwhelmed by they support they received.

All the money raised will be in addition to the €7 million already donated by the public. The final figure is likely to exceed the Government’s official allocation of €10m.

More than a thousand walkers walked around Howth Summit in Co Dublin yesterday to raise funds for Goal’s relief effort. Already €25,000 has been lodged in the bank account opened for the event but a six-figure sum is expected when a final tally is made. One single anonymous donation of €3,000 was lodged yesterday.

Goal fundraiser Clare Smeed said the number of people who took part exceeded expectations and people from all over the country took part.

Another fundraising walk in Marley Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, has so far raised €85,000 for the Irish Red Cross and the final tally could be even higher. Thousands of people are expected to take part in a fundraising walk in Cork on Sunday. People wanting to take part should meet at County Hall on the Carrigrohane Road at 2pm. Today the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) will be asking its 1,900 members to contribute around €50,000 to a special fund to help victims. SIMI chief executive Cyril McHugh said the campaign would run for a fortnight.

Also from today people travelling on all Aer Lingus flights will be asked to dig deep into their pockets for UNICEF’s work in South East Asia.

UNICEF points out that a donation of €5 will save the lives of 50 children suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration and €50 will buy a survival kit that includes clothing, blankets, soap, water purification tablets, essential medicines and kerosene lamps.