Support Br. Colm O'Connell with his work in Kenya
Donation protected
First:
Thank you for taking the time to view this fundraising page for Br. Colm O'Connell's work in Kenya, especially at this time when the COVID-19 health pandemic has heightened the demand for peoples' support for so many worthy causes.
What is Happening:
On the 15 August 2020, I am undertaking a 15-hour dawn-to-dust cycle to raise funds to support the work that is being carried out by Br. Colm in Kenya. Between this date and the 15 September, a number of people throughout the country will also participate in this fundraiser by completing anything from 15 minutes to 15 hours of cycling.
Br Colm O’Connell:
Most of you may know Br. Colm as the man who trains the 800 metres world record holder David Rudisha: also, holder of two Olympic gold medals and two World Championship medals.
As much as his prowess as a coach, Br. Colm is first and foremost an educator. Given this, his focus is not just on developing an athlete’s running capabilities, but also ensuring that they are well-rounded individuals. As part of this process, he ensures that each of his athletes first completes their primary and secondary school education, and assists many to pay their school fees.
In addition, Br. Colm and his Order (the Patrician Brothers) help many schools, including special needs schools, with funding requirements, such as for a new classroom, water treatment programmes, food programmes, etc.
Who am I:
My name is Elish Kelly. I am fortunate that I can say that I am a friend of Br. Colm’s. In 2018 I was lucky to get to travel to Iten to spend some time with him. While there, I saw first-hand the great work being undertaken by Br. Colm with the people in Kenya and how much they appreciate his help and support. To say that he is revered by the Kenyans is an understatement.
Why this Fundraiser:
Why am I seeking your support to assist Br. Colm at this time? The current COVID-19 health pandemic is what instigated the idea for this fundraiser. Every one of us is experiencing the effects of this pandemic. However, it is impacting some more than others. This includes the people that Br. Colm supports, both athletes and non-athletes. Why?
For those of us lucky enough to be involved in sport, most of us do so knowing that, regardless of how we get on, we don’t have to think about where our next meal will come from. This is not the case for the majority, if not all, Kenyan athletes. Running is their main way of making a living – they run so that they can put food on the table, a roof over their head, clothe themselves, pay for school fees, etc. However, because of COVID-19 there have been no races within or outside of Kenya for the past 4 months for the athletes to compete in and, therefore, make a living.
It could be 2021 before road racing will recommence, which is bread and butter for most Kenyan athletes. However, as with many other aspects of life at present, the timeframe for when road racing will resume is still uncertain. Given this, not only are many Kenyan athletes presently without any source of income to fund basic living needs, their future income stream is also uncertain.
On top of this, as bad as COVID-19 is for the individuals that Br. Colm supports, because of severe weather conditions this year, in particular heavy rains and subsequent flooding and landslides, and also an invasion of locusts, food security is now a major concern for Kenyans.
How You Might be Able to Help:
If this cause appeals to you, every single euro donated will help and will be greatly appreciated. It might be hard to believe, but one euro is more than what many Kenyans have at this time, and it will go a lot further than what it might do here in Ireland.
All funds raised will be withdrawn from Go Fund Me and lodged by me to the Patrician Brothers Irish Province Charity Account (Charity Number: CHY 4131), from which Br. Colm will draw from to assist him in his work as needed.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Elish
Thank you for taking the time to view this fundraising page for Br. Colm O'Connell's work in Kenya, especially at this time when the COVID-19 health pandemic has heightened the demand for peoples' support for so many worthy causes.
What is Happening:
On the 15 August 2020, I am undertaking a 15-hour dawn-to-dust cycle to raise funds to support the work that is being carried out by Br. Colm in Kenya. Between this date and the 15 September, a number of people throughout the country will also participate in this fundraiser by completing anything from 15 minutes to 15 hours of cycling.
Br Colm O’Connell:
Most of you may know Br. Colm as the man who trains the 800 metres world record holder David Rudisha: also, holder of two Olympic gold medals and two World Championship medals.
As much as his prowess as a coach, Br. Colm is first and foremost an educator. Given this, his focus is not just on developing an athlete’s running capabilities, but also ensuring that they are well-rounded individuals. As part of this process, he ensures that each of his athletes first completes their primary and secondary school education, and assists many to pay their school fees.
In addition, Br. Colm and his Order (the Patrician Brothers) help many schools, including special needs schools, with funding requirements, such as for a new classroom, water treatment programmes, food programmes, etc.
Who am I:
My name is Elish Kelly. I am fortunate that I can say that I am a friend of Br. Colm’s. In 2018 I was lucky to get to travel to Iten to spend some time with him. While there, I saw first-hand the great work being undertaken by Br. Colm with the people in Kenya and how much they appreciate his help and support. To say that he is revered by the Kenyans is an understatement.
Why this Fundraiser:
Why am I seeking your support to assist Br. Colm at this time? The current COVID-19 health pandemic is what instigated the idea for this fundraiser. Every one of us is experiencing the effects of this pandemic. However, it is impacting some more than others. This includes the people that Br. Colm supports, both athletes and non-athletes. Why?
For those of us lucky enough to be involved in sport, most of us do so knowing that, regardless of how we get on, we don’t have to think about where our next meal will come from. This is not the case for the majority, if not all, Kenyan athletes. Running is their main way of making a living – they run so that they can put food on the table, a roof over their head, clothe themselves, pay for school fees, etc. However, because of COVID-19 there have been no races within or outside of Kenya for the past 4 months for the athletes to compete in and, therefore, make a living.
It could be 2021 before road racing will recommence, which is bread and butter for most Kenyan athletes. However, as with many other aspects of life at present, the timeframe for when road racing will resume is still uncertain. Given this, not only are many Kenyan athletes presently without any source of income to fund basic living needs, their future income stream is also uncertain.
On top of this, as bad as COVID-19 is for the individuals that Br. Colm supports, because of severe weather conditions this year, in particular heavy rains and subsequent flooding and landslides, and also an invasion of locusts, food security is now a major concern for Kenyans.
How You Might be Able to Help:
If this cause appeals to you, every single euro donated will help and will be greatly appreciated. It might be hard to believe, but one euro is more than what many Kenyans have at this time, and it will go a lot further than what it might do here in Ireland.
All funds raised will be withdrawn from Go Fund Me and lodged by me to the Patrician Brothers Irish Province Charity Account (Charity Number: CHY 4131), from which Br. Colm will draw from to assist him in his work as needed.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Elish
Organizer
Elish Kelly
Organizer
County Dublin
