Ways of giving

From karaoke nights to sponsored swims, the disaster in Haiti has prompted a slew of creative fundraising ideas, writes SINÉAD GLEESON

JUST OVER 20 years ago, an Irishman on British television was desperately trying to raise money and people donated in their millions. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, it seems Irish people don’t need Bob Geldof to swear at them to pledge money. All kinds of people are organising events in a bid to raise much-needed relief.

Last night alone in Dublin city centre there were at least three table quizzes taking place while St Andrew’s College in Blackrock, Co Dublin held a “no uniform” day where each student gave €1. South East Radio in Wexford is running a similar event today, asking businesses, as well as schools, to participate.

Elsewhere, Dublin GP, Miriam Carey, “felt she had to do something” after seeing news footage of the disaster. Along with some friends she is holding a fashion sale of designer/nearly-new clothes, jewellery and handbags in Templeogue Tennis club on February 6th in aid of GOAL.

Fashion for Haiti (fashionforhaiti.blogspot.com) has gathered the work of Irish designers for an online auction in aid of Médecins sans Frontiéres. RTÉ faces have contributed personal items to an eBay auction and there was frenzied bidding for the now legendary “big freeze” hat worn by RTÉ environment correspondent Paul Cunningham (above) – going on to raise €570, and Ryan Tubridy’s Late Late Toy Show jumper earned a whopping €1,050.

People have set up Facebook pages and circulated e-mails about everything from sponsored hillwalks to selling knitting patterns.

SOME HEADLINERS . . .

Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday, so on February 14th try the Red Ball for the Red Cross at Dublin’s Sugar Club. Jazz, comedy, burlesque, food and champagne, €300 for a table of six. See mycharity.ie/event/redball.

Whelan’s in Dublin played host to a packed Glen Hansard show last Sunday and on February 14th, in the same venue, Planxty legend Andy Irvine headlines with four other bands, while David Kitt and Jape share a bill on Wednesday, February 17th.

Journalist Aoife Barry decided to combine two of her big loves – music and baking – to organise a gig-come-bake sale at Dublin’s Twisted Pepper on February 4th.

At the karaoke night at the National Boxing Stadium on Friday, February 5th, you can sing your lungs out for the charities Architecture for Humanity and Our Little Brothers and Sisters.

. . . AND FOR THE KIDS

As expected, children are outdoing themselves with their efforts for Haiti. Ranelagh’s Multi-Denominational School raised €1,894 from a coffee morning, cake sale and the wearing of the Haiti colours in junior and senior infants.

Eight-year-old Amy Cox raised over €100 by swimming 14 lengths of the school pool (when she previously only managed two).

Harry McLaughlin told his parents he would walk up Bray Head, run one mile run and swim 100 metres over the weekend of 6th and 7th of February.

When he reached €200, his parents matched the amount and he has gone on to raise €3,020.