Happy New Year


Before the sun sets on a very successful  2015 for our unit, we would like to wish all our members, friends, family and our community a very happy, safe and joy filled new year.

Happy New Year

Open Night


Want to do something NEW for 2016??? INTERESTED IN JOINING THE RED CROSS???


Ballinora/Ballincollig Unit are having an open evening for those wishing to join the unit on Wednesday 20th January 7.30-8.30pm, come along and chat to us to find out how you can get involved!


EFR Examinations


Congratulations to Ballinora/Ballincollig branch member Denis Dineen who has become our newest qualified Emergency first responder (EFR). 

Thanks to trainers and instructors who assisted and supported Denis in his training for the EFR examinations. 

Well done Denis :) 

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will take place on Wednesday the 13th of January in Ballinora Scout Den at 7:30pm. 

All Welcome

Branch Members provide assistance to Flood Victims

During the recent widespread floods across the country, Some of our members joined with other branches to assist locals throughout the flooding which has devastating impacts for many communities. Well done to Geraldine Cronin of our branch who assisted in Tralee and to Barry O' Sullivan and Denis Dineen who joined up with other branches to provide assistance and water to the people of Bandon.

Many branches joined together to assist those affected by
recent flooding.

Geraldine Cronin assisted with the flooding in Kerry

Many branches and volunteers joined to assist those affected by
the recent flooding

Members of Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross assisted
in the distribution of Water to the people of Bandon

Irish Red Cross Youth Forum

Orla Murphy addressing the Youth Forum

The Irish Red Cross Youth Forum took place on Thursday. Well done to Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross member Orla Murphy who addressed the forum and shared her UN Youth Delegate Experience with all present. Geraldine Cronin also attended as a member of the youth working group. 

Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch were well represented
by Orla Murphy IAG Youth Rep and Ger IRCY Working
Group. 

Irish Red Cross Youth

Change the World: YOUth Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals – November 19th 2015

Irish Red Cross Youth Member and Irish UN Youth Delegate Orla Murphy will be speaking at the event!

YOUth are invited to attend and participate in the Youth Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals taking place on November 19th at the RDS.

This is going to be an interactive, youth-led, and fun event looking at issues involving People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
.
Young people will lead on the discussions. This event is part of a longer term youth advocacy project. And we want as many young people to become involved at local, national, and global levels.

But we need your help to share news of the Youth Summit and to sign up and come along. Places are booking up fast.

See http://www.nycitraining.org/courses/change-world-youth-summit-sustainable-development-goals

And…we’ve got speakers from youth, development and environmental organisations, youth politicals, government, MEP, artists, and business…and that’s for starters!! Don’t miss this opportunity. Sign up today!

Red Cross holds mass for deceased members


Cork area of the Irish Red Cross held their bi-annual mass for deceased members of the Irish Red Cross on the 23rd of October. This mass was organised by Community Officer and Ballinora/Ballincollig branch member Marie McSweeney. 

Cadets, Novices, Senior members and committee members represented our branch by taking up candles, gifts as well as singing in the choir. This mass was followed by a gathering and celebration in the Oriel House Hotel for the presentation of the Carer of the Year Award and also the Leslie ban de Barra carers award. 

Well done to all involved in the organisation and participation at this hugely successful event. 

All-Ireland Competitions


On the 10th of October Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch of the Irish Red Cross Competed in the National Competitions. The standard of competition was very high and we were represented by our Cadet Team and Novice individual Gemma Dineen.

Members from Cork South West and Cork North East Branch at the
National Competitions. Photo: Kevin Brennan
 Congratulations to Gemma Dineen our Individual Novice who claimed third prize at the competitions. Well done to all our competitors and their trainers for all the time, work and dedication in the run up to this event. We are very proud of all our members.  Thanks to the supporters who travelled on the day to cheer on our super competitors. 


Gemma Dineen, Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross receives
award for 3rd place in the individual competitions.
Photo: Kevin Brennan
 
Competitors, Trainers and supporters from Ballinora/Ballincollig
Red Cross at the national Competitions recently. 

Our Youth officer on the International stage

Orla Murphy and Eoin O’Liathain who are Ireland's UN youth
Delegates.

Best of Luck to Orla Murphy our Youth Officer who is currently at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and sustainable development summit in New York.

Orla is one of Ireland’s two UN Youth Delegates to travel to the United Nations Summit this week and is tweeting live from New York (@orlmurf) 

The Sustainable Development Goals (or Global Goals) will, at last, be formally agreed at the Summit. While in New York Orla will speak at a Zero Hunger event and both UN Youth Delegates will speak at the Third Committee during the week of October 5

First Aid Awards Instructors Course


Our Cadet Unit Officer Geraldine Cronin attended the first Irish Red Cross First Aid Awards Instructors course  - a first aid course with a difference! Presenters at the weekend included representatives from Special Olympics Ireland.

Great Support from Bishopstown Hill Walkers for Nepal Earthquake Appeal



Bishopstown Hill Walkers pictured handing over a cheque for 4,350 euro to the Irish Red Cross for their Nepal Earthquake Appeal. Pictured from left Jim Harrington, Noel Power, Ellen Ring, Pat O Connor Chairman Cork Area IRC, Billy Joyce, Helen Smith. Photo Jonathan Tyner 

The Bishopstown Hill Walkers recently organised a highly successful table quiz in McCarthy's Bar, Model Farm Road where €4,350 was raised for the Red Cross Nepal Appeal.
Speaking at the presentation, Pat O Connor, Chairman of the Cork Area of the Red Cross thanked the group for their very generous donation and explained that the Red Cross have over 7,500 members working in Nepal to assist people get their lives back on track after the recent devastating earthquakes. Over 9,000 lives were lost, 1 million people were displaced, 850,000 homes were destroyed and the country now face into the monsoon season.
To date the Red Cross have provided 350,000 emergency shelters, 680,000 water and sanitation kits, health care for over 50,000 people and food relief for up to 100,000 families. Indeed, 3 members of the Red Cross lost their lives while running a blood donation clinic in Kastamandap - a world heritage site in Katmandu. The funds presented today will be used for the provision of medicines, tents, tarpaulins and filed hospitals and other humanitarian efforts.

Ellen Ring of Ring & Co., speaking on behalf of the Bishopstown Hill Walkers said that many of her colleagues have been to Nepal over recent years on walking tours and had built up strong friendships with people in the area and continue to be in contact with their friends there. She hopes that the funds raised by the group will go some way to alleviate the hurt and suffering experienced by the people of Nepal and help them return to some degree of normality.

Red Cross Cover Available


Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch of the Irish Red Cross are available for duties. The Branch covers a variety of events from Horse events to GAA Matches and toughathlons to Vintage Runs. Contact 087-9276518 for enquiries.

Donation to Nepal Fund

Recently our branch member Eileen Sheehan held a coffee morning in aid of the people of Nepal following the two earthquakes in recent months. Eileen raised a total of €1332 at this event thanks to the support of local people, families and friends. 

The Red Cross has over 4,000 Volunteers working in Nepal to assist the people to get their lives back on track. Therefore, Eileen donated €700 out of her money raised to the Red Cross restricted Nepal funds. Also, Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross has added €300 to this donation to bring our donation up to €1000 to be used directly to assist the work of the Red Cross in Nepal. 

To date three Red Cross members have lost their lives in an attempt to help others. Sanumaiya Kapal aged 53, Lai Maya Gurung, Nurse aged 43 and 20 year old volunteer Sirman Dangul have lost their lives. They were killed while running a blood donation drive in Kastamandap a world heritage site in Kathmandu. These red cross members embodied the real spirit of the Red Cross and despite the tragic loss, their committment serves as an inspiration to the over 4000 volunteers who are now supporting the needs of earthquake survivors. 


Well done to Eileen Sheehan seen here presenting her cheque
for €700 to Pat O' Connor, Area Chairman. also included are
Mary Murphy Chairperson and Clair Dineen Secretary of
Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross

Dr Ger Murphy pays a visit to unit training

On the 27th of May, Dr Ger Murphy, a member of Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross for many years was a guest speaker at unit training. Dr. Murphy spoke interestingly about Sports injuries with a significant focus on concussion as it has become a very topical issue in recent times.

Dr Ger Murphy speaks to Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross
Members at unit training.
Also on the night, two service awards were presented by Pat O' Connor. Eileen Sheehan and Dr Ger Murphy were recipients of the awards of the night.
Imelda O' Connor, Aileen Murphy and Pat O' Connor present
Eileen Sheehan with her 15 year service award with special
guest Dr. Ger Murphy


Pat O' Connor, along with Imelda O' Connor and Aileen Murphy
present Dr Ger Murphy with his service award in recognition
of his 40 years service with the Irish Red Cross.
Members of Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross pictured with
Dr Ger Murphy after a presentation on concussion at unit training.

Branch Members provide hand massage at Coffee Morning

Members of Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross took part in the Coffee Morning in Clonakilty over the weekend. Mary O' Connell and Nora Minihane from Ballinora assisted at the coffee morning by providing a hand massage station for all in attendance. Well done to all involved.

Mary and Nora set up to provide hand massage to the public in aid
of the Nepal Earthquakes.

Mary and Nora providing the relaxing Therapy to the public in
Clonakilty.

Branch members train on Bere Island

Eddie Fitzgerald, Imelda O' Connor and Karen O' Sullivan of
Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross on Bere Island. 
Three Members of Ballinora/Ballincollig Red cross took part in an inter services first aid training weekend on Bere Island last weekend along with the Civil Defence, Irish Army, Irish Navy, and others in the Irish Red Cross. Also involved were Dr. Jason Van Der Velde and Dr Tony Lynch.  Well Done to all involved on such a successful weekend.

Relaxing hand massage proves huge success in the City Hall

Nora Minihane providing Hand Massage treatment to members
of the public at the Over 50's Show.

Nora Minihane of Ballinora/Ballincollig  Red Cross and fellow members of the Red Cross providing Hand Massages at the "Active Over 50s Show" in Cork City Hall on the 7th and 8th of March 2015. Nora is a part of the nursing home visitation and hand care group and visits the local nursing home regularly. Well done to all involved.


Hand Massage is a very popular and relaxing treatment and is
provided by the Red Cross