By Pat Brosnan

Leprosy Mission of Ireland Launches Fundraising Drive to Protect Workers from Spread of Ebola

The Leprosy Mission of Ireland launched a fundraising campaign aiming to purchase 20,000 disposable, protective clothing suits which will be sent to West Africa to ensure that workers can carry out their essential work with limited risk. Just €5, which is the price of the your average lunchtime sandwich or morning coffee and cake, will cover the cost of purchasing and shipping one full protective suit to an individual in the affected areas. For such a small price, you can help remove deadly risk from one person’s life. Due to the continued and expanding threat  of the most recent Ebola outbreak demand for protective clothing in the affected areas is rising daily. Many of those working in hospitals and medical treatment centres are doing so with limited access to protective and preventative clothing and putting their lives at risk on a daily basis. To date more than 1,350 people have died since March from Ebola across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone making this the worst Ebola outbreak since its discovery almost 40 years ago. Ken Gibson, CEO of the Leprosy Mission of Ireland, said “our colleagues working with the Leprosy Mission across Africa are on the frontline every day, helping those suffering from the Ebola outbreak as part of their medical duties. Protective clothing is running dangerously low and personnel are having to put their own lives and health at risk daily. Requests are coming in continuously for more protective clothing for workers across the developing world which is why we are launching this fundraising drive. Just €5 can purchase one protective suit for an aid worker, allowing them to continue their lifesaving work without putting themselves in danger”. To donate simply call +35312938570 or by electronically transferring funds to The Leprosy Mission Ireland, account details AIB, Blackthorn Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, account no: 39582004, sort code 93-35-70. IBAN IE72AIBK 93357039582004, BIC-AIBKIE2D.

ICSA Calls for Inclusion of Farm Safety Module in Primary Curriculum

The president of ICSA, Patrick Kent has called for health and safety education to be included in the primary school curriculum, with particular emphasis on farm safety for children in rural areas. “What lesson is there that is more important than how to stay alive” asked Mr. Kent. There is room for in subjects like Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) to include a module on health and safety and in rural areas, this could be focused on farm safety. Even in urban areas, there are children who go out to visit friends or relatives on farms and such knowledge would also be very beneficial to them. Children along with older people are most at risk when it comes to farm accidents and the younger they become aware of these issues the better.

Macra na Feirme

The new Macra season has begun, so why not get involved, learn, travel, perform, discover and make lifelong friends this year. Here in Limerick we have eight active clubs, Kilmallock, Limerick City, Boher, Croom, Ina Bán, Shannon-side, Ballylanders and Estuary. If you are aged between 17 and 35 years and want to see what we do and where your nearest club is, check us out on facebook at Limerick Macra. We are an organisation with a network of thousands of members nationwide. An unrivalled programme packed with social events, nights out and weekends away, as well as a range of excellent benefits in exchange for your membership. For more information contact Brigid Walsh on 086-0822038 or check us out on facebook at Limerick Macra.

West Limerick Set Dancing Club

The following céilí’s will be held at the Devon Inn, Templeglantine 2014/2015: Sunday, Sept. 14th-Taylors Cross-4pm. Sunday, Oct. 12th-Striolan-4pm. Sunday, Nov. 9th-Star of Munster-4pm.

The Annual Workshop Weekend 2015 will also be held on the following dates. Friday, Feb 13th-Johnny Reidy-9pm. Saturday, Feb. 14th-Striolan-9pm. Sunday, Feb 15th-Taylors Cross-2pm. and on St. Patrick’s night 17 March-Striolan-9pm.

Limerick Minor Hurlers

Best of luck to the Limerick Minor hurlers on Sunday next, September 7th in the Minor Hurling and All Ireland Final. It would be wonderful to see Limerick winning this game against Kilkenny. The last time Limerick won the minor title was in 1984, almost thirty years ago. Hopefully all goes well on Sunday for this group of excellent players