Mama Tina brings out best in us
Recently I had the honour of playing a small part in the organisation of a 'night at the dogs' in Thurles Greyhound Stadium on May 29.
This is being held by the Friends of the Christina Noble Foundation to raise funds for her legendary work aiding children in dire need in Vietnam and Mongolia.
The outpouring of generosity has astonished me and I have been forced to re-evaluate my more cynical views on humanity. Let me give a few examples.
Kilkenny greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy registered a dog of his as Mama Tina, the name thousands of once destitute children affectionately call Christina Noble. Mr Hennessy will donate all the dog's winnings to the fund.
Mama Tina will be running on the event night in Thurles. Amazingly enough, Bórd na gCon had the same idea, and when they approached Mr Hennessy about acquiring a dog to name Mama Tina, he told them that the name was already spoken for as was their generous idea. Don't worry, they are working on another plan to benefit this great cause.
Donations of countless prizes to distribute on the night include, would you believe, a two-year-old heifer.
We were astonished when word came of this organically-raised donation. More donations keep flooding in, so our prize vault is expanding day by day.
We have a very valuable hamper, an interior design voucher and many more fantastic prizes all donated by the generous people of Tipperary and elsewhere. An idea that was seen originally as a Tipp event has captured the hearts of people beyond the Premier County and it seems we couldn't contain the goodwill felt for this great cause to any county, even if we wanted to.
All the people who continue to work for this great event from the chairman, Chris Delahunt, the co-ordinator, Des Hanafin, and the hard- working committee, to the likes of the smaller contributors have given of their time gladly and voluntarily.
The inspirational Christina Noble has brought out the best in many of us. I look forward to the craic on May 29 and, most of all, I look forward to seeing the look on Christina Noble's face when she sees what is certain to be a massive turnout. She will experience her own country's appreciation of her devotion to the world's forgotten children.
Aedín Hassett,
Old Road,
Cashel,
Co Tipperary.
