CONOR KEPT IT LOW KEY
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER REFLECTS SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTRICTIONS
MONEY raised by Conor Hughes’ annual St Stephen’s Day fund raiser at Blackrock beach will go towards building a new orphanage in Ghana as well as supporting existing projects there and in Romania.
Conor’s specatcular and sometimes whacky fund-raising events at the beach have become a Christmas tradition in Blackrock and he didn’t want to let the day to pass without doing marking the occasion this year.
‘I decided to be low-key this year because of the COVID-19 restrictions,’ explains Conor, who didn’t publicise the event in advance.
For his 2020 fund-raiser, Conor placed a 25 foot model of Gulliver on the beach. After his arrival, Gulliver was placed under immediate quarantine under a special Level 6 lockdown.
‘With all of the COVID19 restrictions this year we wanted to do something lower key to keep everyone safe’ said Hughes. ‘But if that giant thought he is going to swan in here in the middle of a pandemic - he had another thing coming.’
The Giant attracted a lot of attention from all those out walking off the Christmas pudding and proved particularly popular with families.
‘ The kids loved it and it was a great photo opportunity for families out for a walk,’ reports Conor.
While there were fewer people out and about, Conor says they were very generous and so far the event has raised over €2,800.
The Crosscause Charity which Conor founded has a number projects ongoing in Ghana and Romania, working with orphans, the elderly and the disabled. ‘We sent out two 40 foot containers to Romania with donations from all over Ireland just two weeks ago and are still distributing the stuff,’ he continues. ‘Even though a lot of people had less this year because of the pandemic, they made a real effort to donate, to help others who are worse off.’
The trucks were filled with food, medical and PPE as well as toys and gifts, which were distributed in Nicoresti and the surrounding villages.
‘Our next project is to build a new orphanage in Ghana in 2021,’ says Conor.’ We have sent out a container of tools and construction materials and I hope to go out in early Spring, depending on the travel restrictions, to supervise the project. We use local labour as it works out cheaper and also helps give local employment.’
Anyone who would like to make a donation to help Crosscause continue its work in Romania and Ghana can do so via the charity’s website, www.crosscause.ie or by contacting Conor on 087 9674829.