Today on Morning Focus we were joined in studio by Kathy Locke of Team Hope Co. Clare as she appealed to people to get involved with the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
Despite it being only November, Team Hope are already thinking about Christmas as they appeal for people to get involved with the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Kathy Locke of Team Hope, Co. Clare joined us in studio to tell us more. Last year Team Hope in Clare contributed 7,000 boxes to shoeboxes delivered to children in Lesotho, Africa. Kathy urged people to get involved in any way they can by donating gift-filled boxes, collecting boxes, volunteering at check-in centres and more.
For more information on drop off locations, where to get leaflets, where the flat-packed shoeboxes are available and any questions about volunteering, you can contact Kathy on 086 1098533, visit their website here or check out their facebook page here.
If you missed our chat with Kathy you can listen back below:
Before that on Morning Focus, Ger Hoey, Chairperson of Clare Bus joined us on-air following the Transport Minister Shane Ross’s visit to the county last Thursday (Oct 31st). Minister Shane Ross visited Shannon Airport, Bunratty and also held a meeting with representatives from Clare Bus, whose future is uncertain as routes it currently services have been put out to tender by the NTA. Ger joined us on the line to outline the difficult future faced by Clare Bus.
If you missed it you can listen back below:
Next on Morning Focus, Padraic McNicholas, Co-Founder and CEO of Munster Group Insurance joined us in studio after it was announced that people buying car insurance are to be given longer to shop around for a better price. New Central Bank rules mean the renewal notification period for policyholders is being extended from 15 days to 20. Insurers must also clearly display the premium the customer paid last year, on the same page as their proposed new quote. They will have to give a price for each policy available, including comprehensive, third party fire and theft cover, or third party only.
Next, Sgt Tríona O’Rourke, Clare Crime Prevention Officer, joined us in studio for this week’s Garda Focus slot.
Mary Howard, FG member of Clare County Council for Ennis, joined us in studio as she is co-ordinating another safeTALK workshop in Ennis on Tuesday fortnight November 19. Pieta House service user and trained in SafeTalk, Irene Hehir joined Cllr Mary Howard in studio also to speak about she has had practical experience of successfully using SafeTALK.
SafeTALK is a training programme that trains participants to identify people with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first-aid resources. Spaces are limited on this free four-hour workshop and advance booking is essential.
If interested in booking a place on the workshop, get in contact with Cllr Mary Howard on 086 878 0298 or via email at [email protected], you can sign up until the end of the week.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Next on the show, we talked about new books about sporting legends Cora Stuanton and Colm Cooper. The pair are also fantastic role-models for younger generations in terms of their dedication to the game and their pursuit of excellence. Their stories have been captured for younger readers in two autobiographies written by Eimear Ryan who has written about Cora Stuanton and Donney Mahoney who’s written about Colm Cooper, as part of the Great Irish Sports Stars series from O’Brien Press.
To round up today’s Morning Focus, Clare FM’s Syl O’Connor joined us on air to discuss the latest in sport from the weekend and we heard from Naomi Carroll of Cratloe and an 111-times capped Irish International, as Ireland’s Women Hockey team reach for the Olympic Games.
We also announced this week’s Sport’s Star who is David Blake, Tuamgraney.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
