26 January 216
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
“Island to Island” campaign gathering pace
Carmel Nic Airt, currently Príomhoide on leave from Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty, is going to Leros Refugee Camp in Greece where scores of Syrian men, women and children cross land from rubber dingies they have crossed from Turkey daily. Carmel is going for a three week period at the end of February where she will volunteer helping people off the boats, cooking and other duties.
She will be paying 100% of her own fare and all her own expenses personally, but hopes to raise some much needed money before she leaves to donate towards a food kitchen. In the refugee camp, €10,000 will feed 1,200 people for 90 days.
She has started a fundraising drive and with some friends already has a number of events organised which she hopes the public will support. A campaign Facebook page – “Island to Island”, has been set up to keep people informed and where they can also contact if they wish to help organise a fundraiser. A number of events are already organised for February as follows:-
1st: Lá Fhéile Bhríde: Scipeáil don tSiria Skip for Syria a number of Primary Schools in the West Cork area and further afield, are doing a Skipathon at 11.00am that day to welcome the first day of spring, and the theme of “Children helping Children”.
6th: afternoon tea and cake sale at Bealad Community Centre (old national school) from 2.30 -5.00 pm.
9th: “Let’s Sing for Syria” – a Gala Concert at Fernhill House Hotel featuring the Clonakilty Brass Band; Cork School of Music Wind Ensemble; Hannah Collins; Fiona Kelleher and Jim Murray; Eugene Brosnan; Mattie Gordon and other local artists.
10th: Coffee morning in Baltimore from 11-2pm. 12th: “Have a Heart for Syria” when local Secondary School students will be asked to donate the price of a Valentines Day card.
16th: “A Taste of Syria” – Food, Poetry, Music, Art from the Middle East at O’ Donovan’s Hotel 7.30pm.
23rd: Celebrity Table Quiz at Scannell’s with celebrities sending in 10 questions each.
