The Downpatrick Romanian Orphanage Appeal group in Downpatrick have held another fundraising event to gather much needed support for the work of the Franciscan Foundation in Romania who run a string of orphanages.
Noreen Baker who organised the event explained that she was delighted with the evening and the excellent  turnout of supporters. She said: “It was just great that so many friends and family came along to support this super cause. Over the years we have put a lot into out fundraising effort and and once again our loyal supporters were there to help us. We very much appreciate this.
“The Leap Ball at The Mill, Ballydugan, just outside Downpatrick last weekend, was a brilliant evening  and over seventy people turned up to support us. We raised around £1000 which was fantastic. It was a night of good food and music. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended and supported the event.”
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Event fundraisers for St Patrick’s House in Romania: from left, Ronan Gilchrist, Noreen Baker, Angela Cilchrist and John Noble.[/caption]
The Downpatrick committee formed when local committee members had the opportunity to travel to Hungary in 2007, and they met a group of people who devoted their weekends and holidays providing voluntary support to the children housed in orphanages at Deva in Romania.
The committee of the Downpatrick Romanian Orphanage appeal includes John Noble, Noreen Baker,Emma Bell, Roisin Gilchrist, Angela Gilchrist and Deirdre Bradley and Ronan Gilchrist.
Following this trip they felt compelled to help in whatever way they could such was the ongoing plight of the children. The Franciscan Foundation was established in 1989 by a Franciscan priest and over the past 24 years has grown to be one of the largest voluntary organisations in both Hungary and Romania. It runs 30 children orphanages and operates 50 child-care facilities in the region. It caters for upwards of 2500 young people on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE LEAP BALL
Noreen added: “Since the Downpatrick Romanian Orphanage Appeal was established we have worked extremely hard with the foundation and in 2008 we took on the role as lead sponsor for one of their orphanages.
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Some of the supporters at The Leap Ball: from left, Jackie Sharvin, Paula Carville, Clare Keenan, Noreen Baker, Kiera, Fiona and Emer Flanaghan with Marion Jeffels.[/caption]
“The ‘St Patrick’s Orphanage’ is situated in Gyimesbukk, the most eastern part of Transylvania in Romania, very close to the old Romanian/Hungarian border. The House provides accommodation for up to 40 children. In addition to this there is also specialist provision for upwards of 20 children to remain in the care of the foundation during term-time providing them with a much needed education they would not be able to receive living at home.”
During the last number of years  the group have been pleased to have been in a position to support the annual running expenses for the orphanage. To date they have raised over £30,000. Funding has facilitated the provision of a bus for the orphanage and an after-schools club for those children living in the locality who have no opportunity or access to schooling. Many of these children would not receive this at home as they have little or no facilities. Several groups from Down have travelled throughout the years to visit the orphanage and help out in whatever way they could.
Noreen added: “We have always looked for new ways to raise much needed funds for this facility and throughout the years we have created many new ventures. We are always keen to have new people come on board to provide us with support in any way possible.”
2015 a has already been an exciting year for for the Downpatrick-area based group who have have hosted two major fundraising events in the last few months and are keen to continue their activities throughout the year. From the 8-15 June a small group of County Down volunteers will travel to Romania to visit the orphanage.
Ronan Gilchrist, a group committee volunteer, said: “We wish to open this out to anyone that may wish to join us. This will promise to be a trip of a lifetime and will hopefully allow others to see why there is such a need for assistance and why we undertake all of the activities that we do”.
Contact: Â Ronan Gilchrist on ronan.gilchrist01@gmail.com
Anyone who may wish to donate to the appeal can do so by donating to this charity account by contacting Ronan.
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