Hi everyone,

My name’s Odhrán Gillespie, a Year 13 student at St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, and this February I am privileged to be given the opportunity to travel to Romania with the Friends for Romania project to volunteer in an orphanage and community. This charity was created by schools in Northern Ireland with the aim of relieving poverty among the most vulnerable members of Romanian society.

I decided to take part in this trip because I wanted to do something meaningful – something that helps others and opens my eyes to the world beyond my own community.

Before I go, I need to fund raise a minimum of £600, to help buy essential aid and supplies for the children and the projects we’ll be supporting so I can make a real difference during this life-changing week.

While I’m there I’ll be visiting a variety of places and delivering the aid and essential supplies and helping to support the children and families in the orphanage’s, disabled centres and schools in the local villages.

I can’t wait to bring some smiles, support and kindness to the children and families there – and I’d love your help getting there. To help raise charity funds before I go, I’ll be organising a few fundraising events. One of the first events, is based on community fitness and is called ‘power hour’. The event is being kindly organised in collaboration with Michael Tolan, who owns MTS Training Est. 2020 in Randalstown.

I would really love to see you there participating in this fantastic event. But if you can’t make it, I would greatly appreciate your donations – no matter how big or small. This will all go directly towards helping me make a difference in Romania. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story, for your kindness and for supporting me in any way you can.