Chernobyl charity founder Adi Roche gets top award

CHERNOBYL charity founder Adi Roche was the toast of the town yesterday when she was honoured for her work helping sick children have a better life.

Ms Roche, founder of the world-famous Chernobyl Children’s Project in response the nuclear disaster of 1986, was selected as Cork Person of the Year at a special function in Jury’s Hotel. She praised her 7,000-strong army of volunteers and said the award recognised their achievements as well.

A winner of several other awards for her humanitarian work, Ms Roche’s organisation has donated over €26 million in aid to the Chernobyl region and brought 10,000 children to Ireland for vital medical treatment and recuperation.

“No army can be sent against an enemy you can’t see, the invisible enemy of radiation,” Ms Roche said. She added that people living in Chernobyl felt isolated and forgotten.

“This award will be a great message to those people that they aren’t forgotten,” she added.

Ms Roche said the other 11 nominees for the award should also be congratulated. “It shows that volunteers are alive and well in Ireland. We’re to the forefront of every tragedy in the world. I wonder if we have an extra gene of compassion,” Ms Roche said. “I hope I will do you proud.”

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, who was guest of honour at the awards ceremony, said it showed the level of talent for which Cork was renowned.

Tom Murphy, chief executive of the Irish Examiner, which co-sponsored the event, also praised the nominees, adding they had improved life in Ireland and Cork in particular. He made a presentation to Manus O’Callaghan, who has organised the awards ceremony for the past 10 years.

Prime Time’s Miriam O’Callaghan acted as MC for the occasion, along with MEP Brian Crowley. Other special guests included RTÉ director general Bob Collins and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Kelleher.