This article is from page 13 of the 2011-05-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
DOONBEG will play host this weekend to fundraising efforts which are expected to realise € 50,000 towards educating children in Nepal.
The Clare branch of the international Indreni Children’s Charity will host a series of fundraising events over the weekend, which will culminate with a gala dinner and concert by the Chieftains on Saturday night.
A golf classic will take centre stage on Friday at the golf club, while a si- lent charity auction will run throughout the weekend and a raffle for a BMW will also take place.
Indreni provides a home and private education for 30 previously abandoned street children in Kathmandu, Nepal.
It was founded in 2006 by Ram Hari Khadka and commanded interest in Clare the following year when Keith Molony from Ennis encountered Mr Khadka.
He set up a branch in Clare and todate € 30,000 has been collected in the county for the organisation.
According to one of those involved in this weekend’s events, Pat Connellan, the aim is to raise € 50,000, which will go towards educating the children.
Pending the success of this weekend’s events, there are plans in place to run a similar event on an annual basis.
“Hopefully we will do it every year. This is the first time this has been done anywhere.
There has been good support from the people of Clare,” he said.
He explained the background to the Clare link with this organisation. “Keith met Ram Hari while trekking in Tibet in 2007. From that day on, Keith started funding it himself.
“A few more of us got involved last year. People are paying so much a month.
“We raised money and went over to Nepal in October. A group of us spent time with the children and helped out. It showed us where the money is going,” he added.
“It’s not a case like Chernobyl where the children are brought over here.
“The biggest thing is paying for their education because education is a long term solution to so many problems.
“The initial plan is to make enough money to build a school.
“This weekend we hope to clear € 50,000 and that will go towards sourcing the land,” he said.
For more information on the event, click on www.doonbeggolfclub.com or www.indreni.org.