THE phrase ‘charity begins at home’ couldn’t be more accurately applied that to the Nolan family from Crossneen – with mum Catherine and her twin daughters Emma and Sarah all heading off on charity trips in 2015!
“We’re all going on three separate charities, so that’s been a lot of fundraising,” smiled Catherine, who has spearheaded much of the fundraising effort.
Catherine Nolan from Crossneen, Carlow with her twin daughters Emma and Sarah, who are all off on charity trips around the globe in 2015
Recently, 19-year-old Emma, a science student at NUI Galway, set off alongside seven of her fellow students to Zambia with the charity Habitat for Humanity. Currently in Zambia, Emma is helping to build houses, spending two weeks working with the community and changing the lives of people in that region.
Last Friday 12 June, twin-sister Sarah will set off to southern India as part of a team from UCD Volunteers Overseas. Sarah, who also studies science, will live in an orphanage and during the day teach maths and science to local children.
“I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it,” she enthused.
Both Sarah and Emma were selected from a number of applicants to secure their places on their charity trips. Both have travelled with the Niall Mellon Project on two previous occasions, an experience that really stood to them in the selection process. The girls then had to undergo the task of fundraising, with Sarah’s goal €2,500 and Emma’s €3,000.
Meanwhile, their mother, Catherine, has once again set her sights on joining Niall Mellon Educate and will head out to the Eastern Cape of South Africa for a fifth time in November.
“I’m starting my fundraising now. Up to this, I’ve been concentrating on fundraising for the girls, and people have been so supportive once again,” said Catherine.
One of the family’s main fundraising events was hand-knitted covers for creme eggs sold at Easter time, which was a huge hit with the public.
“The whole thing really snowballed; it was unbelievable,” said Catherine, who diligently knitted the little squares, which were then shaped into covers and decorated by Emma and Sarah.
“Lots of the pharmacies and shops in Graiguecullen sold them for us, and Fr Dunphy allowed then to be sold after Mass one Sunday, so we’re really gratefully to everyone who supported us,” said Catherine.
Catherine will hosts a coffee morning on two church-gate collections for Niall Mellon Educate on 18-19 July.
“There should be five or six from Carlow travelling this year; the concentration now is on building schools,” she added.
The charity also has a clothes collection, which runs all year round, with unwanted clothes, shoes, bed clothes and curtains welcome at their depot at Terry Smith Kitchens, Graiguecullen.
In the midst of all this charity work is Catherine’s husband John, whom, all three agree, has been very supportive.
“We’d just like to thank everyone who helped out; people have been very good to us,” said Catherine.
