Bríd gets high-speed scooter as birthday surprise!

A South Roscommon woman who has played a key role in helping to pave the way for displaced Ukrainian refugees to integrate into the local community in Athlone was the recipient of a wonderful surprise celebration to mark her 70th birthday on Friday last.

Thanks to the generosity of members of the Ukrainian community, Bríd Kelly has now been able to swap her bicycle to travel from her home in Drum to the National Learning Network premises in the heart of Athlone, at Golden Island, for a high-speed scooter, which was presented to her at last week's birthday celebration.

Bríd first became involved with helping Ukrainian refugees in Athlone just after the war broke out in February 2022, and she has remained a constant presence in the lives of those who have settled in Athlone ever since.

Working in a voluntary capacity as co-ordinator for the Red Cross Community Advocacy Support Group and Fáilte Isteach, she is one of a large number of volunteers who have been working alongside the Ukrainian community and helping them to integrate locally.

Tatyana Donchenko, who fled the Ukraine city of Mykolaiv with her daughter, Anastasiia, after war broke out and settled in Athlone in May 2022, was one of the those behind the drive to organise what she described as “an unforgettable birthday celebration” to thank Bríd Kelly for her continued support to the Ukrainian community. “She has been helping us since the very first day we came here,” says Tatyana, “so we wanted to do something very special to thank her and we decided to buy her a good high-speed scooter as a gift because she comes to Athlone by bike even in bad weather to help us.”

Tatyana said she did not know how Bríd would feel about being the centre of attention at her special birthday celebration, which took place in the National Learning Network premises in Golden Island on Friday last. “She is a very modest person, but we just really wanted to say a big thank you to her for everything she has done for us.”

Speaking after the surprise celebration, Bríd Kelly paid tribute to her fellow volunteers for their “dedication and support” over the past three and a half years, and explained that many displaced Ukrainians have made Athlone their “sanctuary home” thanks to the welcome and compassion shown by the local community.

Many members of the Ukrainian community have found that enrolling in one of the specialised training programme run by the National Learning Network in Athlone has been “life-changing for them” according to Bríd. The programmes are facilitated by Manager Anthony Rowan, who said the ongoing English language and advocacy support from the ETB and Fáilte Isteach volunteers “has been crucial” due to the sudden unprecedented demand on their services.

The main focus of the work being undertaken by Brid Kelly and the volunteers in the Red Cross Community Advocacy Support Group and Fáilte Isteach is now on promoting “further integration and well-being in the locality” with the ongoing welcome support from Westmeath County Council's Local Authority Integration Team. “They provide sponsorship with worthwhile integration projects like sports activities, first aid training and other initiatives,” says Brid.

She adds that the response to these projects is very heartening, as it brings together students of the National Learning Network, the local Ukrainian community and local migrants seeking International Protection.

Reflecting on her involvement with the Ukrainian community in Athlone, Bríd Kelly says it has been “such an honour and a privilege” and describes it as “life-changing for the whole team” she is involved with. “As the challenges are on-going and ever-changing, we desperately need new volunteers,” she says.