This article is from page 11 of the 2014-03-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
TRAGEDY has turned into triumph at the Cliffs of Moher, as more than 200 sick or injured people benefited from the facilities at Nicholas’ Room at the North Clare tourist attraction last year.
Usage of the first aid room increased dramatically last year, with poor weather conditions and a general increase in visitors understood to drive the increase.
The facility was established in the memory of baby Nicholas Kelly, who was born prematurely at the Cliffs of Moher in 2006, before passing away on route to hospital.
Nicholas’ parents Delia GarciaStokes and her husband Kelly Stokes, raised the money to fund the first aid room at the cliffs in memory of their son.
“The hurt never goes away but we have had an opportunity to make something very positive from those circumstance, and that’s been our miracle. It didn’t work out the way we prayed [when we became pregnant], but in a way our prayers have been answered,” said Delia last week.
A total of 87 people received first aid in Nicholas’ Room last year – up from 55 in 2012 – and more than 150 people borrowed a wheelchair from the room for the duration of their visit to the Cliffs of Moher.
“This was an increase on the volumes in the last year which is due to both the increased volume of visitors to the centre and the higher incident of extreme weather events, usually wind, during the year,” said Katherine Webster of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience.
“The majority of first aid incidents are minor cuts, bumps and scrapes but we have also treated visitors for broken bones, sprains and allergic reactions. It’s not just visitors who benefit from the facilities provided in Nicholas Room but staff also.
“Visitors from as far field as India, Russia and Israeli were treated on site. On top of providing valuable services to those in need the story of Nicholas Room also continues to provide inspiration to both staff and visitors alike.”