Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_09_18/GA_1809_E1_024.pdf 

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24 N E W S

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September 18 2008

Dust off your old bike for Chernobyl
BY LINLEY MACKENZIE The fourth annual cycle and climb to Croagh Patrick for Chernobyl Aid Ireland will take place on September 21 after poor weather caused its postponement two months ago. The delay has given Oughterard's Gerard Geoghegan of CAI, and fellow cyclist John Keaney, some extra training time, as they are plan to complete the event on 40-year-old Raleigh men's bikes. The cycle and climb has become a major fundraising initiative for the Galway outreach group of Chernobyl Aid, and will see them travel to Croagh Patrick by bicycle, climb the Reek, and cycle back to Oughterard in one day. "This is our fourth year to run this very popular event, and, having been forced to abandon the event two months ago due to the weather, we are hoping the sun will be shining this time round. " Some of us will be doing it on these old bikes - the same bicycles which the local men cycled to the Reek on the annual climb on the last Sunday in July many years ago," said Gerard Geoghegan. In July 2006 The Galway group of CAI started work on an orphanage in Smorgon in north-western Belarus. Untouched since it was built 47 years ago, the orphanage needed complete renovation. The group's aim is to refurbish the 46 bedrooms, replace more than 300 windows, and replace all the old light fittings with new energy efficient lights. "To date, we have replaced about half the windows, refurbished all but eight of the bedrooms, replaced the roof on one wing, costing 50,000 that was completed last October with the help of two other groups with which we work closely," Geoghegan added. "This year we aim to complete the remainder of the bedrooms and we will also have a new dentistry up and running by the end of September." Work is still continuing in Grozova Orphanage with the refurbishment of classrooms costing 2,000 each. The group also sends aid to the abandoned babies' home in Slutsk. To sponsor a bedroom, classroom, or to join the cycle and climb, contact Dennis on 091-552279 or Gerry on 087 2672371 or email gerry@profixdev.ie
The fourth annual Chernobyl Aid Ireland Cycle & Climb Charity Challenge takes place on Sunday (September 21). This fun event, which raises money for orphanages in Belarus, includes cycling 80km from Oughterard to Co Mayo, climbing Croagh Patrick, and a 80km return cycle to Oughterard. Pictured are: Gerry Geoghegan of Chernobyl Aid Ireland and Paul Keaney, who plan to cycle on 40-year-old bikes with Galway footballer Matthew Clancy, who has chosen the more up-to-date racer.

Athenry Musical Society auditions for Seussical
BY KERNAN ANDREWS THE ATHENRY Musical Society will hold an information night and audition for its next show Seussical - a musical adaptation of the books of Dr Seuss. The information night takes place on Wednesday September 24 at 8pm upstairs in Keanes Bar, Athenry. Auditions for Seussical take place on Saturday 27 from 2pm also in Keanes Bar. All are welcome to attend.

Fahey says new childhood immunisation schedule will benefit babies
BY MARY O'CONNOR New babies are set to benefit from a new childhood immunisation schedule recommended by the Royal College of Physicians, according to local Fianna Fail TD Frank Fahey. "The new vaccines, which are free of charge from GPs to all children under the age of two years, will be administered when the babies are two months old. The additional vaccines will protect babies against two serious diseases - pneumococcal disease which can cause meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia, and Hepatitis B infection that affects the liver and can cause lifelong liver disease. Deputy Fahey says in addition to the new childhood schedule there is a pneumococcal vaccine catch up campaign for all children under two years of age. "This is because pneumococcal disease is most common in this age group. Parents and carers should be aware that there is plenty of information about these new vaccines available to them. The National Immunisation Office has produced information leaflets that can be found at local health offices or ordered from www.healthinfo.ie. Information is also available from the website, www.immunisation.ie" Deputy Fahey says the new vaccines are in line with international best practice and he is urging parents to ensure their babies avail of them. " They will provide the best possible protection against disease. Parents and carers should consult the available information and talk to their GPs if they have any concerns or questions."

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