THE greatest rock raffle in the world has been launched on the Internet by the Chernobyl Children's Project. Prizes include Bono's (signed) leather jacket from U2's early days, a Gibson guitar of Therapy's Andy Cairns, and platinum discs from Boyzone, Take That and Smashing Pumpkins.
Other acts who have contributed memorabilia to the Internet raffle include the Corrs, Ash, Crowded House, Erasure, Everything But the Girl and Asian. The organisation's new Web site (at http:fiwww.iol.ie/ccp) also has pages of photographs of Chernobyl children and paintings by them, a link to a webcam in U2's studio, and the chance to send questions by email to Bono or Boyzone - replies are due next month.
"It was the abuse of technology that led to the world's worst nuclear disaster," organiser Adi Roche said at the site's launch last Thursday. "But we are now harnessing technology to help ease the suffering of the children of Chernobyl."
The organisation has delivered medical supplies and humanitarian aid worth over £2.5 million to the region in the past year. It has also provided recuperative holidays to 1,200 children from Chernobyl. The draw for the Internet raffle will take place on New Year's Day, and tickets cost IR£5 (or US$10).
Meanwhile a live feed from last night's commemorative Ken Saro Wiwa concert in was fed onto the Internet (at http://wwww.indigo.ie/musicbase/saro-wiwa). The concert in the Temple Bar Music Centre celebrated the life and work of the Nigerian writer and political activist who was executed a year ago. Among those taking part were Sinead O'Connor, Roddy Doyle, Davy Spillane, Maire Ni Bhraonain and Ronnie Drew, and the final hour of the gig was also sent by satellite to other centres including Toronto and New York.