Post by shayne on Jan 28, 2007 16:44:49 GMT 8
Riding On A Crest Of A Wave - 27 January 2007
Westlife's Kian praises SIRF at calendar launch
Cian Egan and Allan Mulrooney pictured with Santa at the launch of the SIRF calendar.
By Maria Tracey
Unbelievable. One word summed up the achievement of Allan Mulrooney and brothers, Barry and David Mottershead by one of their greatest fans, Westlife's Kian Egan.
In the past year, the Strandhill surfing trio, under the charity Strandhill Indonesian Relief Fund (SIRF), have raised over €13,000 to help rebuild a kindergarten destroyed by an earthquake in Bantul, located on the Indonesian island of Java.
However, not content with money raised to date, SIRF have now released a calendar depicting Strandhill in all its finest, which was launched by Kian at The Strand Bar last Wednesday.
It is hoped that funds raised through this initiative will amount to an additional €5,000, enough to build a second kindergarten in the region.
"The commitment for such a young guy (Allan) is unbelievable, it never ends," said Kian.
"He is one of my best friends and his involvement in the project is great."
Kian, who was joined by his girlfriend, former Hollyoaks actress, Jodi Albert on the night, added that he "would do anything" he could for the charity, which already has seen him skydive from 15,000 feet and auctioning himself off at the infamous Man Auction.
However, the Sligo star added that despite the worldwide appeal of Westlife, he still is in awe of the effect he can make by putting his name and face to the charity, as SIRF's skydiving adventure saw nationwide media coverage descend on the Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly back in August.
"At the end of the day, I'm honoured to be involved.
"If someone puts in that much effort, you just want to help them out and I'm 100% happy to do so," he said.
Kian added that having lived in Strandhill for the past six years, he was delighted to share Sligo's best kept secret with the rest of the world.
Already, he has purchased 15 calendars for his friends in the UK and for Jodi's family.
"I've been to some of the most beautiful corners of the world and Strandhill is up there," he said.
"This is huge for Strandhill as the photographs are just amazing."
Speaking at the calendar launch, Allan expressed his appreciation to the 12 Strandhill based businesses who have each sponsored a month along with the local photographers who donated their images of the seaside resort.
He also thanked Pete Bremner and Ian Jermyn for their dedication to making the calendar happen.
"I'm proud of what we have done and very proud of the village for what they have achieved," said the 20 year-old student.
Having broke even on production costs with money contributed through advertising, Allan added that all money raised through the venture would be "pure profit".
Already 200 calendars have been sold and it is hoped that with a further 300 clinched, €5,000 will be raised for earthquake effected Indonesia.
With these funds, the construction of a second kindergarten will begin in January, as SIRF continues to work with Manusia untuk Masyarakat (MUM) Bali Foundation who are permanently based in Indonesia.
SIRF'S Barry Mottershead also travelled out to the region on St Stephen's Day, to give an indication of what is needed.
Already the charity's first school, Strandhill/ Siwi Lestari Kindergarten is nearing completion, providing a welcome change to the old makeshift classrooms, which reached 50 degree heat by the 10am.
SIRF have also provided children with school shirts; medical packs, containing vitamins, band-aids and pain killers and a daily supply of school lunches.
However, while their project is making a difference, the SIRF team are aware that there are still 330 kindergartens needed to be built in Java and 4,000 schools.
Hence Allan added that this is only the beginning of SIRF.
"We hope to be much bigger next year and register as a charity. A committee of six, which includes people from Australia and South Africa is also going to be set up and we have some huge ideas," he said.
Among these plans is the possibility of a Strandhill music festival in the Summer 2007.
Despite all their perseverance and dedication, Allan is still in shock over how much the charity has grown and how the people of Strandhill have opened their hearts to it.
"How could we have every thought it was going to end up like this?," he asked.
"Now the possibilities are endless."
Calendars are available from The Dunes Bar, The Strand Bar, Outer Point Surf Shop, Strandhill Pizzeria and Celtic Seaweed baths priced at €10. For more information on the charity log on to www.sirf.org.
Credit/Source: Sligo Champion / Thanx Joanne for finding
Westlife's Kian praises SIRF at calendar launch
Cian Egan and Allan Mulrooney pictured with Santa at the launch of the SIRF calendar.
By Maria Tracey
Unbelievable. One word summed up the achievement of Allan Mulrooney and brothers, Barry and David Mottershead by one of their greatest fans, Westlife's Kian Egan.
In the past year, the Strandhill surfing trio, under the charity Strandhill Indonesian Relief Fund (SIRF), have raised over €13,000 to help rebuild a kindergarten destroyed by an earthquake in Bantul, located on the Indonesian island of Java.
However, not content with money raised to date, SIRF have now released a calendar depicting Strandhill in all its finest, which was launched by Kian at The Strand Bar last Wednesday.
It is hoped that funds raised through this initiative will amount to an additional €5,000, enough to build a second kindergarten in the region.
"The commitment for such a young guy (Allan) is unbelievable, it never ends," said Kian.
"He is one of my best friends and his involvement in the project is great."
Kian, who was joined by his girlfriend, former Hollyoaks actress, Jodi Albert on the night, added that he "would do anything" he could for the charity, which already has seen him skydive from 15,000 feet and auctioning himself off at the infamous Man Auction.
However, the Sligo star added that despite the worldwide appeal of Westlife, he still is in awe of the effect he can make by putting his name and face to the charity, as SIRF's skydiving adventure saw nationwide media coverage descend on the Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly back in August.
"At the end of the day, I'm honoured to be involved.
"If someone puts in that much effort, you just want to help them out and I'm 100% happy to do so," he said.
Kian added that having lived in Strandhill for the past six years, he was delighted to share Sligo's best kept secret with the rest of the world.
Already, he has purchased 15 calendars for his friends in the UK and for Jodi's family.
"I've been to some of the most beautiful corners of the world and Strandhill is up there," he said.
"This is huge for Strandhill as the photographs are just amazing."
Speaking at the calendar launch, Allan expressed his appreciation to the 12 Strandhill based businesses who have each sponsored a month along with the local photographers who donated their images of the seaside resort.
He also thanked Pete Bremner and Ian Jermyn for their dedication to making the calendar happen.
"I'm proud of what we have done and very proud of the village for what they have achieved," said the 20 year-old student.
Having broke even on production costs with money contributed through advertising, Allan added that all money raised through the venture would be "pure profit".
Already 200 calendars have been sold and it is hoped that with a further 300 clinched, €5,000 will be raised for earthquake effected Indonesia.
With these funds, the construction of a second kindergarten will begin in January, as SIRF continues to work with Manusia untuk Masyarakat (MUM) Bali Foundation who are permanently based in Indonesia.
SIRF'S Barry Mottershead also travelled out to the region on St Stephen's Day, to give an indication of what is needed.
Already the charity's first school, Strandhill/ Siwi Lestari Kindergarten is nearing completion, providing a welcome change to the old makeshift classrooms, which reached 50 degree heat by the 10am.
SIRF have also provided children with school shirts; medical packs, containing vitamins, band-aids and pain killers and a daily supply of school lunches.
However, while their project is making a difference, the SIRF team are aware that there are still 330 kindergartens needed to be built in Java and 4,000 schools.
Hence Allan added that this is only the beginning of SIRF.
"We hope to be much bigger next year and register as a charity. A committee of six, which includes people from Australia and South Africa is also going to be set up and we have some huge ideas," he said.
Among these plans is the possibility of a Strandhill music festival in the Summer 2007.
Despite all their perseverance and dedication, Allan is still in shock over how much the charity has grown and how the people of Strandhill have opened their hearts to it.
"How could we have every thought it was going to end up like this?," he asked.
"Now the possibilities are endless."
Calendars are available from The Dunes Bar, The Strand Bar, Outer Point Surf Shop, Strandhill Pizzeria and Celtic Seaweed baths priced at €10. For more information on the charity log on to www.sirf.org.
Credit/Source: Sligo Champion / Thanx Joanne for finding