MASSAGES, KITE-FLYING and paying visits to prisoners were some of the opportunities offered at the European Year of Volunteering roadshow in Dublin yesterday.
Chief executive of Volunteer Ireland Dr Yvonne McKenna said that the 70 organisations taking part in the week-long show were a small fraction of the sector.
“We hope people will get a sense of the variety of volunteer opportunities in Ireland, that people will come down here and find a range of activities. It’s not just about fundraising,” she said.
Organisers stressed the international nature of volunteering, having already taken a similar roadshow to Paris, Vienna, Lisbon, Athens and Stockholm. A Volunteer Ireland spokeswoman said 23 per cent of all Europeans over 15 work as volunteers.
Stalls run by the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Volunteer Now, Aware and the Irish Red Cross were present. Independent MEP Marian Harkin said it was an opportunity to reflect on the value of volunteering. “It’s crucial that volunteering is not just seen as a sticking plaster to cover deep cuts in the public service. It’s been estimated there is a return of between €3 and €8 for every €1 invested in volunteering,” Ms Harkin said.
While the roadshow is not just about fundraising, one boy took centre stage for raising almost €6,000 for Concern. Harry McLaughlin (8) raised it through a sponsored run, walk and swim last year. “I was watching TV and I saw the pictures from Haiti. It made me quite sad and I wanted to do something,” Harry said.
The theme today is Volunteering for All Ages; tomorrow it is Arts and Sports; on Thursday it is Development and Campaigning; and on Friday it is The Great Outdoors: Animals and Environment.
The free roadshow is open from 11am to 4pm every day this week at European Union House, Dawson Street, Dublin.
