This article is from page 27 of the 2007-11-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 27 JPG
HAVING given more than 30 years service to the community, prominent Wolfe Tones na Sionna clubman Jim Tubridy now aims to travel 6,000 miles to help poverty-stricken AIDS sufferers in South Africa.
Jim has volunteered to spend 10 days working on helping to build a hospice and community facilities for AIDS victims in Missionvale, Port Elizabeth. A former Wolfe Tones club vice-chairman, adult games chairman and executive committee member, he has also been, and con- tinues to be, involved with a number of club teams. The Missionvale Project is run by Lissycasey-born Sister Ethel Normoyle of the Little Company of Mary Congregation with her staff of 15.
“I read about how the project was looking for Irish volunteers to give freely of their time and skills to build a hospice roughly the size of eight
local authority houses,’ explained Tubridy.
“Having discussed it with my wife, Mary, we decided that I should offer my general skills as a tradesman to help this most worthy cause.”
To enable Jim to make the trip ear- ly next year he is organising a fun- draising campaign over the coming weeks. To cover the travel, transfer and accommodation costs involved, he needs to raise about €3,000 by November 26.
“IT would greatly appreciate any sponsorship support from the people of Shannon, no matter how small,’ said Tubridy, who lives in Cluain Lia, Ballycasey, and is also a long- serving crew member with Shannon Fire Service.
Jim said more than 70 per cent of people living in this part of South Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS and malnutrition and TB are rife.
“This hospice will make a real difference to such people and give
them some dignity,” he added.
Paying tribute to Jim for volunteer- ing to go on such a mission, Tony O’Connell, Wolfe Tones chairman, said it was indicative of his unselfish contribution to the wider community over many years.
“T wish Jim well with his efforts to
raise sufficient funds to do this work. It is an honour for the club, and for Shannon, to have a volunteer from the community carry out such valu- able work for the less-privileged of the world,’ he said
You can contact Jim Tubridy on O86 1565371.