An Irishwoman's Diary

At a time when the State can hire a private jet to deport asylum-seekers to an unknown fate, without allowing one of them to say goodbye to his wife and children, it is hard not to feel a mite cynical about charitable appeals for the "third world".

After all, charity can be both disempowering, and a convenient way to avoid responsibility - a point made so forcefully almost a century ago by an Irishman, Robert Noonan. Noonan is better known as "Tressell", pseudonym for the author of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (1914), which has become one of the classic novels of English working-class life.

Yet there is a world of difference between "quick-fix" aid and the long-term commitment to the developing world shown by some agencies and missionaries. And, undoubtedly, voluntary efforts can often make a difference for the better, at a time when it seems that governments cannot.

Willow Wheelers

This is not, admittedly, a debate which Christy McDaid often has with his colleagues, when he is engaged in raising money. Some of the more senior ones might ask semi-philosophical questions, he says, but most are too busy getting themselves into training for the "big event". The "colleagues" are young enough, ranging in age from 11 to 17 years, and the event is the annual Willow Wheelers charity cycle over a 160-kilometre route.

Mr McDaid, a sixth-form teacher at Willow Park School in Dublin, admits that the future of Africa wasn't foremost in his mind when he planned the first such outing. His motives were purely practical. "I was involved in doing cycle proficiency with the kids, sponsored by the local authorities, on the school grounds, but we needed to get out." The charity cycle became a focus, and the Willow Wheelers are now one of the biggest clubs of their type in the State.

The preparation starts at the beginning of school term in September, when the cyclists sign up for Sunday training. The support of parents, past pupils and sponsors is enlisted - and some of the parents are also active members of the club. To date, the Wheelers have raised almost €500,000 for various projects "on the missions" over the past 11 years.

Many of these projects involve the Holy Ghost fathers abroad, but other initiatives are also supported, Mr McDaid says. The personal contact does make a difference. "For instance, one of the fathers, Pat Clark, set up a school in a shanty town in Sao Paolo, Brazil, to give kids who might just become involved in drugs a particular skill," he says. Money has been given to refugees from the war in Sierra Leone, and towards the cost of a minibus for a former Holy Ghost school in the Gambia.

"The existing bus had holes in its floor, because it was 25 years old," Mr McDaid says. "After that particular fundraising cycle, two years ago, we travelled out to the Gambia with nine of the pupils, and we negotiated with the garage to buy the new vehicle. It was an incredible experience for the kids, and it was great that they could see what it was all about for themselves."

Target is €80,000

Almost €65,000 was raised last year, and this was divided among several projects. This year, the aim is to raise €80,000 for two different Holy Ghost initiatives. Half of the money will go towards the development of a waterhole and irrigation project for HIV/AIDS sufferers outside Nairobi in Kenya, and the other half is committed to a redevelopment programme in Sao Paolo.

Over 200 Willow Wheeler cyclists are seeking corporate support from those anyone who can sponsor a cyclist at €500. The boys also aim to sell sponsorship cards for a total of 15,000 spokes, at €5 each. The campaign slogan is: "On yer bike - get yer spoke in".

The training programme isn't all pure routine. There are two weekends away in Donegal and Clare during the year, and over the Easter break just ending they spent six days in Normandy. Students and parents, led by Christy McDaid, covered about 50 miles a day, with Bayeux (for the tapestry), Lisieux (for the cathedral) and the beaches (for the war history) on the itinerary.

Sunday, May 5th

This year's sponsored cycle will takes place on Sunday, May 5th, and Mr McDaid expects that his team will cover the circuit from Dublin to Meath, Westmeath and back to Dublin through Kinnegad in about 10 hours. The event has received the endorsement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who has wished it every success and appealed to people to support it generously, and of Packie Bonner, Ireland's World Cup goalkeeper in 1990 and 1994.

In a message to the pupils, the Minister points out that, while Ireland's development aid budget is increasing, it is important that the voluntary effort of private individuals is sustained.

"When you see this kind of leadership and example being given by young people, it reminds you that the basis on which aid assistance is built is one of simple concern for our fellow man," Mr Cowen adds. "This desire to help comes from people, not governments." You read it here.