€234,000 raised for earthquake victims

€234,000 raised for earthquake victims


AFTER months of intense fundraising,  Midwest Radio have presented the Gena Heraty Haiti fund with a cheque for €234,201.00 at a special function to mark the opening of the stations new Castlebar studio last Friday evening.
The monies raised were as a result of a massive indoor car boot sale held in Knock late at the end of January as well as numerous events that were organised across the province by listeners in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.  Midwest Radio designated the Gena Heraty projects in Haiti as their designated charity as the Westport native continues to work with children and young adults in a series of programmes aimed at improving their lives and circumstances.
At the function in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Gena Heraty – who travelled from Haiti to extend her thanks to Midwest Radio listeners for their phenomenal efforts in person – said she was humbled by the ‘celebrity status’ she now had as a result of the fundraising initiative and promised that all funds raised would be put to good use in Haiti.
“What happened on that awful day will live with me all of my life.  Haiti was in a dilapidated state even before the earthquake hit so you can image what it is like now.  People’s lives were turned completely upside down and even though its four months since it happened so many people are still afraid to go back to their homes.  I’ve been working with the special needs children for many years now and Haiti is my home.  I love what I do and I am privileged to be able to get up every morning of my life and help people in some small way.  People say I’m a martyr because of the work I do – well if being a martyr means enjoying what you do then maybe I am a martyr but believe me I don’t wish to be one and I don’t think I am,” Ms Heraty told the large attendance.
Referring specifically to the monies raised Gena said that the first priority would be to purchase a school bus to transport up to 40 special needs children to school each day and other project earmarked include building houses, providing micro-loans for families and on-going medical procedures for those directly affected by the earthquake.
The presentation of the cheque coincided with the launch of Midwest Radio’s new studio and office in Tucker Street, Castlebar and as well as members of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland the launch was attended by a huge number of organisations and businesses both in the Castlebar area and across the entire county.
Speaking on behalf of Midwest Radio, general manager Tommy Marren promised listeners that despite the economic downturn the station was continuing on a strategic plan to ‘complete an ambitious jigsaw’ over the coming years.
Mr Bob Collins, Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, said that the work being done by Midwest Radio was what local radio was all about in bringing communities together, giving them access to the airwaves and above all else giving people a strong sense of belonging.