catrina's blog

Communicating our work

Co-operation Ireland has been extremely busy the past months. We have introduced a number of new projects, targeting some of the most disadvantaged communities in our society. The fundraising department re-instated the Belfast – Dublin Maracycle and have organised two exciting new overseas sporting challenges - Trek Killmanjaro and Vietnam to Cambodia Bike Ride.

Communications is particularly important for us and we are currently developing a comprehensive plan for promoting all our work, through on-line and more traditional methods of communications.

The psychology of motivation?

Doing an academic course is bad enough when you are a student, well there are the early mornings, the late nights and generally learning to cope with life as an adult. But to do it part-time, when you’re practically twice the age, working full time and running a house, well that’s a different matter. It means working after work, working the weekends, and all the other times when everyone else just seems to be having a good time. Well I suppose it was my choice, and to be honest I really enjoy it.

Who needs our money more?

Over the weekend I have been preoccupied by the relief operation in Haiti. I watched in amazement as a young man was brought out from under the rubble. Living on coke and crisps, he survived for 11 days – his brother who had not given up hope of finding him, heard his tapping and eventually he was freed.

Pride of Place Ceremony

The Co-operaiton Ireland Pride of Place Awards Ceremony was, as I predicted. a night of celebration for those groups who with won in their categoty or came runner-up. 
People from all over the island, braved the terrible weather and made a real occasion of the night. Groups from Kerry to Derry and everywhere in between made the journey to Newcastle, Co Down and by all accounts it was worth their effort.

Pride of Place Gala Celebration

This weekend, the 2009 Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition Winners will be announced.

All the short-listed groups will come together for a gala evening of celebration at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle. This gala event is not only a great occasion for everyone to get their glad rags on but it is the ideal opportunity for people to meet, get to know one another and share ideas about what works best in their community.

New England: post event report

I wouldn’t say reserved, more quietly excited. That would be how I would describe the Co-operation Ireland Bike New England Team as they queued for the bus at Boston’s Logan Airport that would take them to Gloucester, MA, to begin the 350-mile cycling challenge. But it was a completely different story by the end of the week. Let me tell you what happened in between!
 

First day of the New England Cycle

This is the first Phlog from Catrina who is taking part in Co-operation Ireland's 'New England in the Fall' Fundraising event. Watch this space for more updates!

Launch of WIMPS!

This morning I was at Parliament Buildings, Stormont where the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA officially launched the WIMPS project.

The ‘Where is My Public Servant’, (WIMPS) mobile is a vehicle kitted out with the latest media technology so people can express their views and influence decision makers in government and other places.

Quiz night success

Winnie and I held our fundraising quiz last Thursday and what a success it was. Not only did we raise nearly £700 for our participation in Co-operation Ireland New England in the Fall cycling challenge, but it was also great craic.

Into the East - The lazy cyclist's account

The weekend’s Into the East went extremely well. Peter Sheridan and I had the cushy job of meeting the cyclists and the various council representatives en route. But there was no cycling for us we had the luxury of doing the route in by car.

I did get to meet most of the cyclists during the weekend and no-one I spoke to had a bad word to say. Even with the hills around Rathfriland, the word on the ground was challenging!