YMCA STEP’s up to help Haiti

Pictured, preparing to say farewell to their leg hair, are Darren McGrath, Damian Brady, Adrian Leahy and Lorcan Barry

The Cobh STEP group are holding a fundraising event to raise money to help the people of Haiti. In response to recent tragedy in Haiti the guys in the group have volunteered to undergo the ‘pain’of having their legs waxed and their heads shaved. They are collecting sponsorship in the meantime in the hope that as much money as possible will be raised for a good cause in exchange for their discomfort! The hair removal will take place on the ground floor of the YMCA on Wednesday 10^th February and the doors will be open for anyone to call in and support them on this fundraising event. You can sponsor them or make a donation to this event by contacting the YMCA on 4814060.

They decided to act after hearing about the aftermath of the recent earthquake where there was extensive damage in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince; a city already beleaguered with staggering poverty.

Staff at Haiti YMCA are addressing the immediate needs of the community, despite having lost their building in the earthquake. A second YMCA centre is being used to house the displaced and homeless.

Additional support is being provided via the Dominican Republic YMCA, who have travelled to Port-au-Prince in a convoy with vital supplies of food and blankets. Their convoy also included volunteers and trained relief workers, including doctors.

Funds raised will be channeled into the YMCA’s overseas development agency, Ycare International who are also supporting our partner, ACT International (Action Churches Together), who are distributing food, tents, blankets, hygiene kits and medical equipment. They are supplying healthcare kits to keep 10,000 people going for three months, and water purification kits, which are vital in reducing the risk of outbreaks of cholera and other water-borne diseases. In addition, ACT is providing psycho-social support to those who have been left traumatised by this disaster. Further details can be found on www.ycareinternational.org

Pictured, preparing to say farewell to their leg hair, are Darren McGrath, Damian Brady, Adrian Leahy and Lorcan Barry.  For further information contact James Bilson on 4814060.