The presentation will be made by Deputy Commissioner Martin Callinan on behalf of An Garda Siochana to Ms. Adi Roche from the CCPI and will take place prior the Attestation Ceremony of Phase III Gardai.
The media are invited to a photo opportunity and press briefing in the Garda College Templemore, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, the 11th March 2010. The presentation is expected to take no more than half an hour.
As part of the Garda College Community Engagement in Action Plan, staff and students at the Garda College decided to raise funds for the Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI) Charity, of which Ms. Adi Roche is Chief Executive Officer. The goal was to raise €50,000 for the project.
It was hoped that this money would be used to build a ‘Home of Hope’ which would house ten orphans in Belarus. Additional monies raised would go towards the purchase of a van for CCPI and also providing furniture for the Home of Hope.
With the approval and support of Chief Superintendent Nolan and Superintendent Meyler, Sergeant Conal Mallen, Sergeant Brendan Hoare, Inspector Conor O’Reilly, Sergeant Alan Mc Leish undertook the co-ordination of this project.
Three events took place on the May Bank Holiday weekend, 30th May to June 1st 2009: -
- Abseil - staff and students off Ireland’s tallest building, the ‘Elysian’ in Cork city.
- Row in the ‘Ocean to City’ - 15 nautical mile race, from Crosshaven to Cork city.
- Push a ‘Home of Hope’ model - around the Cork city marathon.
On Saturday 31st May 2009 52 students and staff abseiled off the Elysian building. All persons were trained in basic abseiling techniques prior to the event. Ms. Ali Hewson patron of CCPI also abseiled off the building.
On the same four teams of Garda rowers organised by Garda Kenny McDonald, Physical Studies Section, Garda College, took part in the Ocean to City race. One boat crewed by Garda McDonald and Garda students, won in its class.
On the bank holiday Monday, 1st June, Chief Superintendent Nolan and 32 students from the Garda College pushed a ‘Home of Hope’ model around the Cork city marathon, in less than 5 hours. This event was co-ordinated by Sgt. Ciaran Doyle Physical Studies Section, Garda College.
Many other events and fundraising projects have been undertaken by staff and students and to date they have raised €70,000.
In January 2010, with the support of local businessman Mr. Michael Ryan, of Donal Ryan Motor Group, a Nissan Primastar van was purchased for CCPI, to assist in the transportation of building materials etc. for the building project.
The community engagement project involves one final event.
On 19th March at the University of Limerick, Sergeant D.J. O’ Dwyer of the Physical Studies staff will attempt a new World Record to row an indoor rowing machine for 27 hours.
He will be supported by youths from the Moyross Estate in Limerick who have received training over the past number of months from Garda Sheila Glavin. The record breaking attempt has received sponsorship from Garda College course participants and the greater community.
Presentation:-
On 11 March 2010 Deputy Commissioner Martin Callinan, An Garda Síochána, will present Ms. Adi Roche, CPPI a cheque for €70,000 on behalf of the Garda College.
Ms Adi Roche will also address a group of Phase III students at the Garda College who have been involved in the project from the outset.
On 17th April a building crew including staff and students from the Garda College will go to Belarus to build a Home of Hope, which is expected to take up to two weeks to complete.
Garda Press Office
