Moatrix Music Mania for Niall Mellon

Work is progress at Cochrane's as the Moatrix Music Mania organisers are getting ready for a long day with family based entertainment. Stuart Clifford and Zara Malone are planning to head off with the Niall Mellon Township Trust in 2010 as volunteers on a trip which has a lasting influence on those who benefit from the homes constructed for the residents of the notorious shanty towns in South Africa. Part of the commitment the volunteers make is to raise funds, €5,000 each which must be submitted well in advance of the departure date, in this case early 2010. Stuart and Zara have recruited, cajoled and enticed their friends and family to help with their effort. Their first major effort will take place in Cochrane's on Saturday, August 8, starting off at 2pm and running until late. The local volunteer group has reclaimed a part of the garden which has not been used before and which will form an enclosed playground for the child friendly activities. Children are welcome until 8pm on the Saturday. A bouncing castle, face painting, a barbecue, (with a pig on a spit roast) are some of the activities planned for the day. There is a great musical lineup with some of the top bands in the midlands taking part, names like Crimson, Ever27, Ka tet, Evil Elvis, Critic Eyes, DJ J and local favourites Something Simple and the Vauxhall Vivas - a varied and lively programme is assured. The Niall Mellon Township Trust was born in 2002 after the businessman Niall Mellon spent a holiday in South Africa. Over the years the trust have built many homes for the most needy of people, 5,000 were built in 2008, built by Irish Volunteers who travel to South Africa to participate in a week long 'Building Blitz'. Niall Mellon has a stated ambition of building 25,000 houses in eight years and with the help and support of people like Stuart and Zara this target can be achieved.