Huge local response tofamineplea

November 1984

Looking at the television and newspapers, every Christian could not fail to be touched by the famine and poverty that is raging in Ethiopia. .

We are, therefore, glad to be able to report this week that local people are showing their generosity and concern in many ways.

The staff of Wicklow County Council are aiming to collect a sum of £1,000 for this cause, and, up to last Monday, they had raised £600.

Their appeal was notified to members of the county Council and there was a prompt reply with donations.

Father and son combination James and Richard Gill handed over a cheque for £700 to Concern to help with famine in Ethiopia. The Gills took part in the Dublin City Marathon and raised the money through sponsorship.

The cheque was presented to Concern on Monday night.

Incidentally, Richard completed the marathon in 3.07 while his father did the distance in 3.51.

A generous response is expected for the church collections for Ethiopia taking place at all Masses in the Dublin Diocese on Saturday and Sunday. This will replace the weekly ‘share’ collection.

Factory worker Tommy Kavanagh from Rathdrum intends to set up shop on the main road on the Dublin side of Ashford on Sunday to sell a van-load of his own vegetables to help Ethiopians.

Proceeds will go to Oxfam.

A group of Eastern Health Board employees will hold a 24-hour fast in Wicklow this weekend.