President to visit Irish Red Cross as donations hit one million

The President, who by virtue of her office is also the President of the Irish Red Cross itself, will see for herself the work being done which has led to the sum of one million Euro being raised so far. The President will visit as Red Cross members and staff work throughout the holiday weekend to assist the Asia Disaster victims.

And all over Ireland tonight people will have the chance to join in the nationwide effort to save lives in Asia, with donations being taken in every pub and hotel tonight to support the Irish Red Cross Asia appeal.

This New Year's Eve collection, across 8,500 premises, is organised by retired Garda Jim McQuaide and is being run with the co-operation of the members and organisations of the Licensed Vintners Association; the Vintner's Federation of Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation.

All the money collected will be bagged and delivered to the 903 Garda Stations around the country for lodgement to the Irish Red Cross bank accounts.

And in Dublin today, the Lord Mayor, Michael Connaughton has volunteered to open his Mansion House home to take-in donations. The Lord Mayor has also arranged that all 20 of Dublin Corporation's rent offices will take donations on behalf of the Irish Red Cross all next week.

Also in Dublin today from 1pm and tomorrow from 10am, a big yellow Civil Defence Bus will be located on the central aisle of O'Connell Street at the GPO by Asst Civil Defence Officer, Bill Powderly and Civil Defence Officer, Cmdt John Moriarty and their colleagues. A Civil Defence fire-fighting pump will also tour the city centre collecting on behalf of the Irish Red Cross.

The Irish Red Cross has been inundated with offers of help from people who wish to organise events, as well as by financial donations from private individuals, businesses and groups. Anyone who wants to donate can do so by credit card to 1850 50 70 70 or to www.redcross.ie.

To organise a fundraising event contact the Irish Red Cross with full details of your name, address and telephone numbers. If you are not already a registered donor or previous supporter of the Irish Red Cross you will be asked to supply a reference from another charity or some person/organisation (not a friend) who can vouch for you such as a bank manager, school teacher, doctor, local garda, etc. Permits may be required from an Garda Síochana (for house-to-house or on-street collections) and permission may be required from the manager of a shopping centre to hold any collections on such premises. A letter of authorisation will also be required from the Irish Red Cross for all fundraising events held in our name.

Ends.