There isn’t an ounce of truth in the rumour that Charlie Farrelly has opened a public house in Carrigallen up in Co. Leitrim; that’s a different Charlie Farrelly altogether.
Our Charlie is over in Mombasa in Kenya with his partner, Martina O’Mahony and Hannah Curtin on development work with the Ray of Sunshine Foundation. They flew out there on February 7th and have been working hard on the building site since.
They have had time to take and post pictures of the progress made on site. In one of the pictures Charlie looks like he’s getting a bit of practice foe the next election. With babe in arms he’s looking at the camera and poised to deliver that kiss so beloved of politicians of all shades.
Memorial Plaque
The Ray of Sunshine Foundation Project 2016 involves the building a centre for abused children in Mombasa in Kenya.
The undertaking has been endorsed by Kilkenny hurling legend, Henry Shefflin – who was appointed to the Ray of Sunshine Foundation ambassadorial role following the death of RTE Radio and TV personality, Derek Davis in May of last year. You’ll see from the photographs that there’s a memorial plaque on a wall in the new building complex in tribute to the late and well loved radio and TV personality.
Charlie, Hannah and Martina were amongst the first in Kerry to respond to the Ray of Sunshine appeal for volunteers when the need for this project arose in Kenya.
Tralee based, Kerry’s Eye photographer, Robert O’Mahony is also on this mission with the three Castleisland volunteers.
Plight of Children
“The Ray of Sunshine Foundation helps with aid to the poorest of the poor in underdeveloped countries having special regard for the plight of children and particularly to their educational and safety needs,” Martina explained.
“These children have no state funding nor do they have charitable organisations in Kenya to aid them or stand up for them. Their only chance of an improved life is for volunteers to go to Kenya to help them out.
“The rescue centre will give them a chance of a brighter, better future and to improve their quality of life and set them up with the opportunity to get out of the poverty trap,” she said.
A Message from Patron, Henry Shefflin
I want to take this opportunity to say ‘well done’ to all the volunteers for their enormous efforts in fundraising throughout Ireland for the 2016 Project.
The generosity of the Irish people has once again come to the fore in a time of need. The volunteers are the backbone of the organisation and are worth their weight in gold as they share their time and talents. The new Rescue Home for the girls will have a huge impact on their young lives. To all the friends of The Ray of Sunshine ‘go raibh míle maith agat.’ I hope you have a happy and safe trip to Africa. Check out the Ray of Sunshine Foundation website with a clinc on the link here: http://www.rayofsunshine.ie
