Let’s Walk & Talk
Dublin City Council and NCBI recently joined forces to mark Social Inclusion Awareness Week by organising an historical walking tour of Drumcondra and Phibsboro, which saw both vision impaired and sighted participants find out more about the area in the company of leading historian and author, Pat Liddy.
Let’s Walk & Talk is an initiative from Dublin City Council with weekly walks as well as programmes of historical walking tours organised around Dublin. The initiative is a great way for people to stay healthy, meet people and learn a little something about our fair city. The walk proved to be a huge success with over 40 people participating.
The tour itself took in a host of places of interest including St. George’s Cemetery, located at the back of NCBI’s Training Centre on Whitworth Road, the Grand Canal, the statue of Brendan Behan and historic Phibsboro before returning to NCBI’s Head Office for a tour of the facilities.
Plans are afoot to build on the success of this event, with Dublin City Council and NCBI working together to bring more tours to all during the summer months.
For further details on Dublin City Council walking tours and groups, please contact Ronan O’Donnell on 01 222 3726 or email: ronan.o’donnell@dublincity.ie
Dublin Fire Brigade Charity Calendar 2008 Raises €150,000
In early April, Dublin Fire Brigade’s Chief Fire Officer, Hugh O’Neill, presented €75,000 each to the Irish Cancer Society and NCBI at Dublin Fire Brigade Headquarters, Tara Street.
Most Heroic Deed
The money was raised by 13 brave Dublin-based fire fighters who volunteered for their most heroic deed ever – to pose for the Dublin Fire Brigade Charity Calendar 2008 in various locations around the city in December 2007. Over 15,000 copies were sold at €10 each. Now an annual project, the calendar has raised €288,000 since December 2006.
A cheque for €75,000 each was presented to Jane Curtin, Communications Manager, Irish Cancer Society and Derek Quirk from NCBI, to go towards their ongoing provision of free nationwide patient care services for people with cancer and their families and the provision of services for people with sight loss respectively.
Improving the lives of those living with cancer
The Irish Cancer Society is the national cancer care charity, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem and improving the lives of those living with cancer through patient care, research and education. For information, support and advice on any aspect of cancer prevention and care, call the National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700.
Support and services nationwide
NCBI is a not for profit charitable organisation which offers support and services nationwide to people experiencing difficulties with their eyesight. About 18 per cent of people using NCBI’s services are completely blind, while 82 per cent have varying degrees of usable vision. For more information contact NCBI on LoCall 1850 33 43 53.