Children"s charity benefits from Great Honda Run from Athboy

Athboy recently hosted a Honda 50 run in aid of Touch Ireland, a charity that fund raises for food, shelter, medication and education in what it calls 'Our World". They use the term 'Our World" as opposed to 'Third World" or 'Developing World", as they feel these terms allow people to believe 'that the problem is not ours and therefore not our responsibility'. The ethos of Touch is simple in that all children have a right to food, shelter, medication and education. A voluntary member of Touch travels to their projects at least once a year at their own expense to ensure that all funds are being put to good use. Touch Ireland was founded in July 2003, and all the money raised goes directly to its projects in Zambia, Cameroon, India, and Nepal. They have no administration costs, no salaries and try to support running costs and office through a dedicated fundraising event. This allows for financial donations made by the general public and other groups to go directly to projects where they want the full benefit of their donations to go. There are groups in Dublin, (Harold"s Cross), Kildare (Naas), Offaly (Tullamore), Meath and a central group, which operates as the controlling body. The group works in consultation with local communities and organisations on the ground in an area of operation to identify their needs. Touch decides and selects from these projects. This is then submitted to the central group for sanction. The aim of Touch through its projects is primarily to keep people alive and instil hope for the future. It is always the intention that communities do not become reliant on them. They are encouraged and supported to provide for their own community when they are in a position to do so. Local people in their own country manage all projects. At all times their ideals, culture and customs are respected. The Meath representatives are Pat and Margaret Murray and Brendan Murphy of Kildalkey, who were assisted in organising the Honda Run by Bruno McCormack, Athboy. Beginning at the Old Darnley Lodge Hotel in Athboy, the rally travelled to Fore, Oldcastle and Crossakiel before returning to Athboy.