Former Crawley Irishperson of the Year, Lenny Nugent, is planning a mammoth trek from Big Ben to Brighton Pier to support the Kasisi Children’s Home in Zambia. The walkers hope to raise around £15,000 to make a real difference to children living with HIV/AIDS.

Staff and friends of the Sussex based contractors and developers, Nugent Group, will spend the Easter weekend in a bid to help fund new projects at the Kasisi Children’s Home. The orphanage deals with a large number of children affected with HIV/AIDS in the African country.

The orphanage was established by a group of Irish Dominican Nuns in 1926 and became staffed by the Little Sisters of the Mary Immaculate, a Polish order, two years later. Polish and Zambian nuns continue to run the home 37 km from Lusaka.

The Home provides its children with basic needs such as care, love and protection. All the children go to school and the Home supports them in finding further education and employment as they reach adulthood.

In 2006, Nugent Group paid for the development of new toilet and shower blocks to be constructed. It was around the same time that BBC News visited the orphanage to see the impact of the G8 Summit. One year on from the Gleneagles meeting, there had been little change - the support of individuals is needed more than ever.

In 2007, with the aid of the public they want to directly impact the lives of the children. Lenny Nugent commented:

“The sisters are a great group of people but they need lots of help. They have priorities about feeding and clothing and you can see that that are shy to ask for any help.”

HIV/AIDS has had a marked impact on the Kasisi Children’s Home. Many of the children are infected with the disease and in many cases the very worst happens.

Lenny continues:

“The sisters want to build a Chapel of Rest and mortuary. It will make a real difference to the children living with the disease as they will know that their friends are being looked after. At the moment, the children see their former friends in open sheds before burial. It’s just not right. We need to look after the children in this life and on to the next.”

Lenny is apprehensive about talking about the project because it is not a subject that is openly spoken of but he feels that it is important to be very active and involved.

“I’m prepared to send a group of workers out to Zambia if they need to. When I was there last year, I could see so much needed to be done and we take so much for granted here. The sponsored walk will be big test. I would encourage anyone willing to take part to do so.”

The sponsored walk will take place over the Easter Weekend starting on Good Friday and will finish when the participants conclude the 50-mile trek.

The Kasisi Children’s Home is a registered charity (1114313). People wishing to support the walk can donate direct, download the sponsorship forms or send cheques payable to the charity. Tax relief (through Gift Aid) is available for UK tax payers.

Cheques, payable to “Kasisi Children’s Home”, can be sent to:

Kasisi Appeal
Nugent Group
Antrim House,
High Street,
Handcross,
West Sussex.
RH17 6BN

Attached documents:

• Route Map
• Kasisi Sponsorship Form

Crawley hosted the 4th Annual Saint Patrick’s Parade on Sunday 18 March 2007, celebrating the multicultural makeup of the town, its Irish population and commemorating Crawley’s 60th birthday as a new town.

The Parade was the focal point of Crawley’s Saint Patrick’s Festivities and concluded with live music and dance displays at the High Street.

Music was provided by Blackthorne, TS Glorious and the Gatwick Caledonian Pipers. The dance shows were presented by the Andromeda, Mullins and O’Brien dance schools.

Hundreds lined the street and took part in the parade making it by far the best event yet. The post-parade entertainment did come to a premature end due to the onset of snow, but this didn’t dampen the spirits of the Irish community.

John Nolan, CICS Chairman, commented:

We were delighted with the day, it was a fantastic day and we would like to invite many more people to take part next year. Wherever your roots lie, come celebrate them with the Irish in Crawley.

Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day, it’s a national day of celebration worldwide and a chance for everyone to come together and have a bit of fun.

Photos from the event will be available shortly from www.celtic-irish.co.uk/photos

The Parade was organised by the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society, sponsored by Paslode Spit and Plumbase.

Ireland have completed a major shock in the ICC Cricket World Cup by defeating Pakistan and (virtually) qualifying for the second stage of the competition: the Super 8.

Pakistan were all out for for 132 after 45 overs. After a spot of rain Ireland required a revised target of 128. However, Ireland concluded their own innings with a six to win 133 for 7 wickets. Ireland completed the feat with overs to spare and won by three wickets.

Pakistan have now been knocked out of the competition. Ireland are likely to qualify for the Super 8 if Pakistan can avoid a defeat in the final game against Zimbabwe.

Ireland top the group this Saint Patrick’s Night with three points compared to the West Indies’ two points. The “Windies” have a game in hand and play Zimbabwe on Monday.

Congratulations to Ireland and good luck with the rest of the tournament.

More at www.cricketworldcup.com

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to one and all. Ireland’s Rugby Team may have been robbed of their first Six Nations championship in years but that’s no reason not to celebrate all things Irish.

Ireland beat Italy in Rome and most impressive was that the Irish Cricketers dismissed Pakistan for 132 after 45 overs in their second ever World Cup match. Earlier in the week, Ireland drew with Zimbabwe in the most exciting match I’d ever seen - the only match I had ever seen.

There will be plenty of venues in Crawley that will be serving the Black Stuff tonight but only a few that will also be featuring traditional music and/or Irish Dancing. Why not try the Tavern on the Green in Pound Hill or the Emerald Club on Southgate Avenue?

Have a great night and remember that the Crawley Saint Patrick’s Festivities start at Midday tomorrow so remember not to sleep in!

More details at celtic-irish.co.uk/stpats and from Radio Mercury on 102.7 FM.

Ireland completed their Triple Crown today, a week ahead of the final match against Italy on Saint Patrick’s Day in Rome.

Ronan O’Gara inspired Ireland to their third Triple Crown in four years as Eddie O’Sullivan’s men ground out a narrow 19-18 victory over Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby. O’Gara scored all 19 points for Ireland with a converted try and four penalties.

It was hardly a convincing victory against the Scottish side that lost to Italy two weeks ago. Ireland will hope that a convincing victory against Italy, on Saint Patrick’s Day, will inspire renewed confidence before the Rugby World Cup this autumn in France.

The Italians will be hoping for another upset following their 23-20 victory against Wales and their best Six Nations year with their first ever back-to-back victories. Wales must now beat England convincingly to avoid the Wooden Spoon.

More at rte.ie/sport

At its 12^th Annual Dinner Dance at The Clarion Hotel, Gatwick on the 3^rd March, The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society (CICS) were pleased to announce that Rosie Keaveney, one of Crawley’s very popular community midwives, was the Crawley Irish Person of the Year 2007.

Carol Collins, Secretary of the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society took great delight in announcing that Rosie Keaveney was also Crawley’s first female Irish Person of the Year. Carol went on to explain…

Tonight history is being made as we are awarding Crawley Irish Person of the year to a woman for the very first time. This exceptional woman has neither required, nor desired, recognition for the many ways in which she contributes to the community of Crawley. For many years in her role as community midwife she has helped women of all ages and backgrounds to fulfil their dreams and make the fulfilling, yet sometimes difficult, transition to motherhood. To some of our more recent Irish migrants, far from home and family, she brings the personal touch and for that thousands of women will never forget her…she is one of the unsung pillars of the community

Rosie Keaveney was presented with a crystal vase, sponsored by the Bank of Ireland and flowers by the CICS committee. On receiving the award she said…

I am thrilled and delighted to be honoured by my fellow countrymen

The Dinner Dance, which helps to raise funds for the Crawley Irish Festival, was also honoured to welcome Patricia Brady from The Embassy of Ireland who congratulated the CICS on the work they did and proposed a toast to Ireland.

Post meal entertainment was provided by The Mullins School of Irish Dancing, who presented a stunning dance display and music was from the Mary Rose band.