Using pedal power to raise funds for VIVA
This September four Longfordians will take on a gruelling 100km cycling challenge around the Burren in County Clare to raise vital funds for a developing world charity which was set up by a local Veterinary Surgeon, Brendan Mimnagh in 1993.
VIVA (Volunteers in Irish Veterinary Assistance) has been going from strength to strength since its foundation in 1993 and it is now involved in projects in Nepal, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.
Killoe Vet, Ciaran Gobl has been working abroad with the charity for many years now and he has inspired both of his sisters Fiona and Aisling to help raise funds for the group through a sponsored 100km cycle event on September 12 next.
Local vets Donagh McDonnell and Brian Flynn, who both work at the Animal Health Centre in Shroid, will also peddle around the Irish landmark to help alleviate hunger and poverty in third world countries.
Fiona Gobl, is a pharmacy manager in Unicare in Longford town and explained that VIVA volunteers train farmers to develop sustainable livelihoods from their animals.
"They also train animal health workers as vets are very scarce in these countries. They then work in conjunction with charities such as Bothar and Heifer International and give them the supplies they need to go out into their countries and develop breeding programmes for livestock," she said.
After visiting her brother Ciaran in Nepal last year Fiona decided she wanted to help out with fundraising for the charity.
"I went over there in March and the people are verging on starvation and living in extreme poverty but they are still so friendly and so generous," she said.
"Eighty percent of the farm labour is carried out by the women in Nepal and VIVA is highlighting the importance of women's empowerment in these countries which I think is making a big difference."
Fiona began a training programme last month with her younger sister Aisling, who is a fourth year Property and Economics student in Bolten Street and they are now cycling around 30km per day when training.
One man who won't need too much training for the event is Donagh McDonnell who has completed charity cycles for VIVA every year since its foundation in 1993.
"I've cycled around Morocco for VIVA and I also cycled through Vietnam last year", he stated.
"The charity carries out amazing work in the developing world and I want to get involved in helping them in any way I can. Hopefully I'll get the chance to do some volunteer work with them abroad in the near future."
If you would like to sponsor Fiona and Aisling Gobl on their charity cycle around the Burren simply call into Unicare Pharmacy in the Longford Town Shopping Centre or contact Fiona on 086 377 4723.
Alternatively if you would like to sponsor local vets Donagh McDonnell and Brian Flynn on their 100km cycle please drop into the Animal Health Centre in Shroid.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
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