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2nd September 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 31 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
School Costs Putting Families Under Pressure
Brave Molly Tackles Gruelling Chemo Trial With Gusto The fundraising campaign for brave little Molly McNally continues unabated, with people from all over the North County and beyond pledging their support for the plucky little Balbriggan girl. Molly, who has just turned six, suffers from the rare childhood cancer, Neuroblastoma, and is in the process of receiving ongoing treatment for her condition. Her father, Gerry McNally told the County Leader about Molly’s progress to date. “She is now undergoing a new chemotherapy trial, which involves five days of chemo, followed by 21 days of rest. This cycle is repeated six times - effectively 30 sessions of chemotherapy. It’s called the Beacon Trial, and Molly is one of only two people in Ireland having this trial. In fact, there are only 17 people in all of Europe on this trial,” he explained. Molly started the first of the chemo trials on 5th August last, and started her second session yesterday, Monday 1st September. “I don’t know where she gets the strength from. Her attitude is just fantastic, and she just keeps on smiling,” said Gerry. The plan thereafter is that Molly will go for specialised radiation treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, which is being organised by Crumlin Hospital. Meanwhile, the Gibson Hotel in Dublin was the venue for the latest fundraiser for Molly on Saturday, 23rd August last. A Race Night was organised by the Hill 16 Gang of Dublin GAA supporters. There were over 300 people at the event, and a staggering €10,000 was raised on the night. The event was attended by RTE Gaelic Games correspondent, Marty Morrissey and former Dubs stars, Ciaran Whelan, Senan Connell and Paul Clarke. Dublin manager, Jim Gavin presented a signed Dublin jersey, which fetched €500 at auction.
Other items for auction included jerseys from the Dublin hurlers, the Dublin ladies team and a vase from the camogie team. Glasgow Celtic also came on board, through Liz McKenna from Swords, who is a friend of former manager, Neil Lennon. Gerry was overwhelmed by the great response. “Everyone did a fantastic job, especially Liz McKenna, Daz and Barry Fennell, who put the whole thing together. It’s a great tribute to Molly, and these supporters who organised the night have become great friends of ours, and we meet up after Dublin matches. Molly also goes to all of the matches and she’s an avid supporter,” said a proud Gerry. Meanwhile, another large fundraiser for Molly will be held in Lusk on 11th October, when Natasha Farren is organising a Barn Dance in Round Towers GAA clubhouse. This promises to be another great event, and the organisers are hoping for as much support on the night as possible, in a bid to secure the much needed treatment for little Molly. Last Saturday, the management of Millfield Shopping Centre, along with shop managers and volunteers from the Molly McNally Miracle Trust, braved the cool weather, when they volunteered to be drenched with cold water, in order to raise much needed funds for Molly. They huddled together, as a fire hydrant was turned on them. It generated great interest and was all good fun for a great cause. See pictures on page 4
some cases, accommodation, where courses are only available in provincial colleges. In many cases, we have found that students have had to quit courses, simply because they could not afford the costs. That, in my mind, is a shame.” By Patrick Finnegan Barry then went on to explain For example, it’s €100 for a how people panic and search child under 10 and €200 for out the services of money children under 11 to under 22. lenders, who will charge exorThat doesn’t help at all, bitant interest rates. “This is a slippery slope because if and a vicious you’re on social circle, and is one welfare, you get to be avoided at the full amount, all costs,” he but if you’re said. Another working you problem for don’t get any, parents is the and these are supposed volunthe families that tary contribuare really tion, which is hurting now,” required from he said. “A new hard pressed development is the emergence Pictured is President of St families. He had of iPads in Finian's Conference of St some very defimany of our Vincent de Paul, Denis Barry, nite views on schools, which who is concerned that local these contribuare suffering, due to tions, when he can cost up to families the back to school costs said, “The volun€750, adding tary aspect has gone out of it further to the problem.” He went on to speak about the and it’s a compulsory charge, plight of families that have a which puts people under child in third level education. severe pressure, with “Now you’re really crucified, Christmas only a little over because you have the fees, three months away. My advice which average around €2,700. is to engage with the schools If that’s not enough, you need and explain your situation and to think about books and in come up with a payment
It is almost impossible to read a newspaper, or turn on the radio or TV, without learning about how the recession has disappeared and that things are on the up again. This is true in many instances, but is far from reality for many locals, who are saddled with enormous bills at this time of the year This is the assertion of the local St Vincent de Paul organisation, who claim that the costs associated with children returning to school, or going to college, on top of property tax and imminent water charges, are proving too much for many families. Denis Barry, President of the St Finian’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul in Swords, sees a definite trend, where local families are under severe financial pressure. He told the County Leader, “This burden is not only hitting people on social welfare, it is also affecting people that are working. We’re finding that people on social welfare are better able to get by, and there are many people working, who are on low wages, who have no respite. They are hit with everything, and cannot avail of waivers or other reliefs. They don’t qualify, as many are only a few euros short of qualifying for some sort of relief. These families are particularly at risk,” he said. The back to school allowances are small from social welfare.
scheme, maybe spread it out over the year, that you can afford,” he said. “On top of this, we have property tax and water charges, which are really putting families to the pin of their collars. Some politicians, who encouraged people not to pay these charges, have now disappeared over the horizon, and have left a trail of destruction behind them, with revenue hot on the heels of householders,” he said angrily. September is traditionally the most expensive time of the year, and Denis Barry is convinced that the recession is only beginning to bite for many people. Many people survived the initial years and put some money away to get by, but the well is now dry after years of struggle, and these extra taxes are now beginning to have a real impact,” he warned. St Vincent de Paul operates an Education Bursary scheme to help send some pupils to third level courses, but they are limited in what they can do. “We need funding urgently, and the people of the North County have always been very generous in helping us to help others, and we appeal to them for their vital help, so that we can continue to help families in need,” he concluded.