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

'Ma and Imelda's years of Red Cross service honoured

Imelda O'Connor pictured with her mother Hannah Sheahan who have jointly over 100 years’ service to the Irish Red Cross

A mother and daughter from Mallow have been honoured for giving more than 100 years of service between them to the Irish Red Cross.

Hannah 'Ma' Sheahan and Imelda O'Connor were rewarded for their years of service and "steadfast loyalty" to the Red Cross during a special awards ceremony held at Cork City Hall.

In October 1951, 'Ma' Sheahan was one of the founder members of the Irish Red Cross in Mallow, helping lay the foundations for the future success of the branch.

There had been a branch of the Red Cross operating in Mallow from 1941, however it was disbanded in 1946 after the end of the Second World War.

Five years later 'Ma' took on the role of the first Ladies Unit Officer for the reformed branch, in the process becoming the first female to wear the new Red Cross uniform.

She rose within the ranks of the organisation to the position of Assistant Area Director of Units, a rank she still holds in an honorary position.

Her contribution to the Red Cross was summed up by the then PRO Maeve O'Reilly at a function in 2011 to mark 'Ma' Sheahan's 60-year association with the Mallow branch.

"She is a human dynamo. An octogenarian with the spirit of a 20-year-old and the energy of a woman less than half her age," said Ms O'Reilly.

Her daughter Imelda was also honoured at the ceremony for the more than four decades of service she has given to the Red Cross.

Imelda joined the Mallow Red Cross while still a student at St Mary's Secondary School. In 1982 she co-founded the Ballinora/Ballincollig branch of the Red Cross and is a tutor with the national panel in addition to holding the role of Deputy Area Director for the Cork South West region.

(courtesy of The Corkman)

Civic reception to mark the 75th anniversary of the Irish Red Cross

The Lady Mayoress Cllr. Mary Shields honoured the Cork Area Red Cross to a civic reception on 10th December. This reception was held in the Lord Mayor's chambers. Many dignitaries attended as well as Cork Area representatives.
Mr Pat O' Connor Cork Area Chairman gave the  history of the Red Cross covering the past 75 years- ranging from the polio epidemic in the 1950's and tuberculosis epidemic in 1952, helping with refugees during the turbulent times in Northern Ireland, humanitarian help during flooding and other disasters.

The Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Shields then addressed the audience congratulating all on their outstanding voluntary work. she then addressed Mrs Hannah Sheahan - Ma on her outstanding service to the Red Cross during a life span of 63 years. following which she gave a presentation to her to mark this remarkable performance.

The Lord Mayor then gave a presentation to Pat O' Connor Area Chairman to mark the 75th anniversary.

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