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Ireland’s top talents join fundraiser
 By
Elaine Sheridan
SCORES of Irish celebrities turned out in Kilburn for the launch of a new
initiative by the Aisling Return To Ireland Project.
It was a glitzy affair as some of Ireland’s top talents headed the
bill and entertained the masses who came out in force to support the worthy
cause.
Included in the impressive line-up was the beautiful Andrea Corr followed
by Finbar Furey and Dubliner Damien Dempsey.
Ireland’s favourite funnyman Dara O’Briain was the host for
the evening which took place at the Luminaire bar above McGovern’s.
Entitled Aisling Ireland the new initiative was launched to help raise
funds to provide a home in Ireland for returning emigrants.
Alex McDonnell who heads up the Aisling Project said: “The night
was a great success and managed to raise enough money to begin funding
a pilot scheme so Aisling’s dream of opening our own house for returning
emigrants is well on the way towards realisation.
“Now Aisling can begin serious work on the Resettlement Centre.
“We have for the last few years been working towards this goal and
have drawn up detailed plans of how to achieve it.
“The main strategy is to raise the necessary money to obtain a building
and to fund the support services that returning migrants will need.”
The Aisling Project was set-up in Britain to reach out to Irish people
who are vulnerable, isolated and alone.
It provides supported holidays in Ireland for long-term emigrants who
for many only dream of seeing their homelands again.
It also helps long-term emigrants reconnect with their family and friends
back home.
The charity was set-up by workers in the London Irish Centre and Arlington
House the biggest homeless hostel in Europe.
Now the Aisling Project want to build a house where returning emigrants
can settle into a more permanent home with experienced staff who can make
the transition back to Ireland far smoother.
The Irish Government is expected to make funding available for some of
the staff, the running costs and providing the building but Aisling need
to prove that they can finance a great part of the enterprise themselves
at least in the first few years.
Alex said: “Thanks to our generous supporters over the years we
are establishing Aisling Ireland which will move the Aisling Community
Resettlement Centre forward and build our base in Ireland.”
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