A busy year in the life of Westmeath Rose

From talking with this year's Rose of Tralee Claire Kamanbatu, I was inspired to get involved with charitable organisations in my county. Firstly I joined the Westmeath volunteers website, www.volunteerwestmeath.ie and explained to them what I aimed to do. They were delighted with my offer to help and from there have put me in contact with Athlone Community Radio. I help this organisation to raise much-needed funds to keep the radio running. It is a small station and has huge community support, which can be clearly seen from the people involved. I'm currently continuing work with Volunteer Westmeath and have a few projects lined up for the future with the Jack and Jill Foundation. I have had the pleasure of attending several events as the Westmeath Rose over the past few weeks namely the Athlone Agri Show, where I got carted around in a golf buggy, the Hay Making festival in Trim, Co. Meath where a tractor and trailer was the transport of choice and the Irish Draughts Horse Society Annual Show in Moate where I got the honour of cutting the red ribbon. Finally I had the pleasure of helping the Mayo Rose chose the Queen of the Grainne Uaile Festival 2011 in Newport Co. Mayo. One of the most rewarding things I have done since becoming the Westmeath Rose 2011 is getting involved with Breast Cancer Ireland. I wanted to do something that would help raise awareness of this fantastic organisation and also raise some funds for them too. I organised two teams of this years roses to participate in the tri-Athlone 2011 for Breast Cancer Ireland, the roses in question from Mayo, Leitrim, Kildare, Limerick and Leicester. The amount of support we received was amazing with local businesses supporting us such as www.rz3.ie and other athletes donating money on the day. Currently we have raised over €500 and its still climbing. I have a few more events coming up in the next few weeks which I am really excited about....