President Mary McAleese paid a very special 'Chernobyl 25 - Ceremony of Hope' tribute to 25 of the top volunteers who have dedicated themselves selflessly to improving the lives of so many across areas worst affected by the world's worst nuclear disaster.
Kilkenny Man Jim Kavanagh was of those honoured for all his work in organising humanitarian aid for the stricken region. Mr Kavanagh attended the ceremony with his wife Penny.
The ceremony at Farmleigh House was one of the key nationwide commemorations for the 25th Anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe, on Tuesday last April 26.
The President was joined by Chernobyl Children International (CCI ) CEO, Adi Roche and CCI Board Member and former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Liz O’Donnell, plus many others in paying tribute to the representative group of CCI volunteers who have worked so tirelessly over the past 25 years.
The volunteers have been central to CCI’s contribution of over €90 million in direct aid, medical care, respite, housing and education over the past quarter of a century in response to the disaster. They have also been involved in bringing some 21,000 children into Ireland on rest & recuperation trips.
The volunteers honoured ranged in ages from 80 years to 17 years and include surgeons, fund-raisers, trades people and nurses – people of all professions who gave of their time voluntarily to support the many CCI projects over the past 25 years.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adi Roche said “Today is our very special day to remember, commemorate and rededicate our hearts, minds and energies to the victims of the world’s worst environmental disasters - the explosion at Chernobyl 25 years ago. But today is also a celebration of that powerful word ‘hope’, which is the most precious gift of all in the hearts of all our volunteers. Ireland you can well be proud of yourself.”
CCI is marking the 25th anniversary with a €25 per Special Anniversary Appeal. For donations, contact 0818 25 25 25.
