PICTURE GALLERY: Fundraiser calls for Haiti support

A RASHARKIN fundraiser has called on north Antrim people to delve deep into their pockets to help the relief effort in disaster-struck Haiti.

Fiona Kelly is hoping to raise several thousands of pounds to help the country's stricken residents - and is well on the way thanks to the generosity of local folk.

The mum-of-two organised a bag-packing session at Asda, Coleraine recently which raised 1,500 and a number of schools are also collecting. All money will be channelled through Road of Hope which has been helping people in Romania and Croatia for over seven years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity provides support to disadvantaged families, orphans and the elderly in the war-torn regions.

Local people have always rallied around Road of Hope's campaigns and Fiona is hoping they will support the body's fundraising for a local hospital.

"You only have to look at what is happening in Haiti in the papers or on television to see the extent of the devastation," Fiona told the Times.

"People in this area are so generous when it comes to fundraising and we hope that will be the case again."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A contact of Fiona's - Denise Kelly - spent four years living in Haiti and is tasked with managing its resources from Dublin.

Denis said the survival of thousands of desperate Haitian people relied on outside aid.

"Road of Hope over the past several days, we have all been stunned by the human devastation resulting from the earthquake in Haiti," said Denise.

"There are many organisations and people who are working hard to provide relief and comfort to the people there. If you are considering ways to help, I would appreciate your consideration of the CRUDEM Foundation, an organization (officially recognized 501(c)3 charity status in the US) that operates a hospital (Hopital Sacre Coeur) and provides medical training and services in Haiti.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I lived at the hospital campus from 2002-2006 and now work full-time from Dublin to ensure that the hospital has the medications, supplies, equipment, medical volunteers and finances it needs on a daily basis to provide the best medical care possible to the people of the region.

"I personally visit the hospital twice a year for 3-4 weeks each time. We have a staff of only two outside of Haiti but have the support of many volunteers. Additional details on the hospital and the services we provide there are available on our website www.crudem.org.

"Hopital Sacre Coeur is located in the town of Milot, about 70 miles north of Port au Prince. Although the earthquake tremors were felt at the hospital, we have no major damage. The hospital remains fully operational and is receiving patients who are being transported to us by the US Coast Guard and US Navy helicopters. All of the cases require major surgeries and have heavily infected wounds. Up to now all of the patients have survived. The hospital is receiving many very young children, along with adults. A large percentage of patients require amputations.

"The hospital staff on-site is well equipped to handle what they will face in the near term. Many more medical volunteers are scheduled for the coming days, weeks and months. We have two operating rooms (but have scaled up to four using every available space), a fully equipped lab, and can house 75 -100 medical personnel. We have converted the school across the street into a patient wing and have converted the local soccer field into a helicopter landing site 200 feet from the hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The residents of the town of Milot, who have very little themselves, have made housing available for the families of patients. In spite of losing loved ones or not yet knowing their whereabouts, the town residents have been anxious to do what they can to help their wounded brothers and sisters. One of our volunteers on-site wrote;

"The CRUDEM volunteers, staff at HSC (Hopital Sacre Coeur) and the people of Milot are all doing an amazing job in every possible way - from caring for the injured to fixing pot holes in the street to make transport less painful. In spite of the tragedy there is a strong sense of hope in the air."

"CRUDEM's Hopital Sacre Coeur has been in existence since 1986, we are a stable institution in a country of instability. We have been recognised by the Haitian government as one of the best hospitals in the country, however no government support is received. This is not going to change in the near term but we are there for the long haul.

"The hospital is a beacon of hope for the people of the area. However the road ahead will be increasingly challenging - both for the hospital and for those who receive its services. Before the earthquake the hospital was packed to capacity day after day, now our resources are being greatly stretched.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"You can follow us on Facebook by searching on CRUDEM_Haiti."

Anyone wishing to support Road of Hope's efforts can find out more information at www.roadofhope.org.ukDonations can also be made into a special account at the Bank of Ireland: Sort code 90-50-61 Account number 90477653.

Related topics: