Mayo’s IP community supports local charity initiative

Members of Mayo’s international protection (IP) applicant community have proudly played a part in the success of a local charity’s recent fundraising campaign.

When 100 people travelled to Dublin on October 10 last to take part in Mayo Cancer Support Association’s fundraising Brave The Drop abseil challenge in Croke Park, Caroline Wanjiru was among them.

The Kenya native, who is a resident in the Breaffy House Resort IP Centre in Castlebar, gladly signed up to undertake the sponsored 150ft abseil from the roof of Croke Park and personally raised over €800 for the charity.

When fellow residents at the IP centre heard of her charitable act, they were eager to show their support. They formed a committee and staged a charity auction of donated second-hand goods at their place of residence last week, raising almost €400.

Committee member Maha Salouha said it meant a lot to the residents to support Caroline as well as the local charity and the community of Mayo.

“We very much enjoy being able to be a part of this,” Maha said. “My own father in Gaza died of cancer so I know how hard the disease can impact people.”

Orla Gillespie, manager of Mayo Cancer Support, expressed her sincere thanks to Caroline and the team behind the charity auction, and to everyone that has supported Brave The Drop in any way.

“With over €320,000 now raised, the success of this campaign has been overwhelming,” said Ms. Gillespie. “This unprecedented funding boost allows us to forward plan and ensure that the people of Mayo have the very best standard and choice of cancer supports available to them.”