Charity book launch to take place in Shamrock Lodge tomorrow
by Adrian Cusack Updated: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 5:15pm
Tomorrow (Thursday), a book by Athlone priest Fr John O'Brien is to be relaunched at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in aid of the cash-strapped charity Children First.
Fr John's 2007 book 'Love Rescue Me' will be relaunched by traditional musician, Máirtín O'Connor, and friends, who will perform on the night.
The event constitutes the Athlone launch of the Children First, which provides educational and social services to disadvantaged young people. The charity was founded in 1991 and, until now, its programmes have predominantly taken place in areas such as Dublin, Meath and Limerick.
Fr John explained that, because the charity is in financial difficulty, local work will initially focus on fundraising, with the aim of subsequently establishing Children First programmes to assist young people in Athlone.
"Children First wrote to me and asked if I could help them in any way, so I gave them the rights and royalties to three of my books. I looked at their programme and saw they had an expertise and experience that I hadn't," said the Franciscan priest.
Discussing tomorrow's book launch, Tom Farrell, the CEO of Children First, said: "We believe there is a great opportunity for partnership between Children First, the work of Fr John O'Brien and the people of Athlone.
"Although we are aware that the opportunity to reprint Fr O'Brien's books does not necessarily answer all of our prayers financially, we believe that the sale of his books will go a long way to finding supports for Irish children in real need."
The charity relaunch, by Máirtín O'Connor and friends, of 'Love Rescue Me' will take place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel at 8pm on Thursday, October 29. Admission is free, and all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Children First.
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