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Fast Blog
That’s a wrap!
Thank you all so much for your support and sponsorship. Your fasting and fundraising will help transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.
Concern works
Whether you fasted with your class, at work or on your own, you have made a real difference. Gloria is just one example of how your concern works.
What your money buys
You have helped us to raise over half a million euro by taking part in the Fast! That is an amazing achievement. Just €67 could buy enough highly nutritious food to bring one malnourished child back to health over six weeks.
Thanks again to the thousands of people and hundreds of schools who took part nationwide!
Coming soon
Yes, we’re already thinking of the next Concern Fast. More soon…
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@concernfast.org.
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Felicia talks about Gloria
As you will have seen from our last blog post, Gloria and her aunt Felicia have been reunited. We recently asked Felicia to tell us how Gloria and her brother and sister are getting on:
Together and safe
Felicia has welcomed the children into her home that she shares with her own daughter, son and her mother. There is barely enough room for them all, but at least they are together and safe.
Felicia’s home has rosary beads and a candle on the table and posters of Arsenal, Barcelona and Jesus Christ on the walls: "The football teams are for my son; the Lord is there for the rest of us."
A future
Felicia also wants Gloria and her family to go to school. She has grown very close to them. While they still don’t have much, Gloria and her siblings now have someone to care for them, a roof over their heads, clean clothes, and they continue to receive a nutritious lunch at the Baruka health centre supported by Concern.
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Happier days for Gloria
Do you remember six-year-old Gloria? She was the focus of our Fast in 2009. We hoped to raise money to help her and other children, living in appalling conditions in Nairobi’s slums.
Success!
That is now a reality, thanks to everyone who supported the Fast. The Baruka Health Centre, and others like it, can now provide essential treatment to even more malnourished children. Your donations mean that they are nursing children back to health by providing food packed with goodness and energy.
A couple of our colleagues, Louise Finan and Karen Gallagher, recently went to see how the donations were helping, and to find Gloria.
Healthy and smiling
During their visit to Baruka Health Centre, Gloria, Aggrey and Musungu came bounding into the room. Everyone was moved to tears. The three children had been transformed: they were healthy, brimming with energy and smiling broadly.
An improved life
Gloria is now being cared for by her aunt Felicia. She has clearly grown very attached to them and wants the children to go to school.
While they still don’t have much, Gloria and her siblings now have someone to care for them, a roof over their heads and clean clothes. They still receive a nutritious lunch every day at Baruka Health Centre.
From Gloria and all the children you have helped – thank you!
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Thanks a million!
Around the country thousands of people joined us for the Concern Fast this year (not to mention hundreds of schools).
You did it!
All your efforts will make a huge difference to those people we are trying to help – the poorest people in the world’s poorest countries.
Have your say
Most of you have now fasted and we want to know what you thought: was it difficult? Did you do something different? We'd love to hear all about it, so tell us.
For those who haven’t yet, there is still time to get involved.
What now?
Don't forget to thank all your friends and family who supported and sponsored you.
Our target is over €1 million and we need your help to get there. So please return your funds as soon as you can!
Return your money.
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It’s here!
After much preparation and work, the Fast is upon us.
Let’s tweet
A hardy bunch of fasters started yesterday and are nearing the 20 hour mark. You can see how they are doing by visiting the #concernfast twitter conversation.
Hammer time
And true to his word, Head of Fundraising Richard Dixon is currently dancing around the Concern office like MC Hammer. His escapades are raising much needed funds…and he’s keeping the fasters’ minds off food too!
Fast on Twitter
Do you tweet? Are you going to fast? Why not combine both?
Some Twitter history
Last year, two brave Fasters tweeted about the Fast. What is tweeted? It means that they used Twitter to tell us how their Fasts went.
You can view these two old accounts of the 24-hour Fast here and here.
Twitter needs you
This year, we hope to get more people involved, especially on Twitter. To do this, we've created a specific Fast tag - #concernfast. So, if you use Twitter and you would like to tell us how your preparations are going, just include #concernfast in your tweet.
All messages on Twitter that include that tag can be viewed here.
We hope to keep track of people's progress on the day of the Fast as well, using this new tag.
In the meantime, you can follow Concern on Twitter by clicking here.
Meet Deborah
The Fast is fast approaching (forgive the pun). The Star newspaper has been reporting on it from Kenya.
Deborah Pilloh
In the first report, in the paper last Wednesday, we were introduced to four-year-old Deborah Pilloh.
Read the full article (pdf file – 523K) entitled “Families on the Brink of Starvation.”
Coming weeks
The second report is coming soon…
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Writing on the wall
Can you guess where this Fast graffiti is located? Here’s a hint: it is somewhere in Dublin.
Please post your guesses in the comments below.
Thanks to the artist for painting this for us. They can be contacted at reapone@hotmail.com.
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Concern Fast in celebrity endorsement shocker!
As if you didn’t need any more encouragement, here’s two videos of Irish celebrities who are looking to convince people to do the Fast.
First up is TV chef Rachel Allen:
Here’s singer/songwriter Cathy Davey:
The decision is yours!
Rob Kearney, international rugby player and Concern ambassador, is joining us this year for the Fast.
You’re going to decide what Rob should do for the Fast. What could he give up (or take up) for 24 hours? Help Rob do his part for children and families who are hungry around the world.
Any ideas?
How about no mobile phone? Too easy? What about wearing red for the whole day? Makes for easy crowd spotting! There has to be something more imaginative that we can come up with.
Let us know
What would you pay good money to see Rob do? Check out Rob’s Fast profile and please sponsor him and leave him a message. Don’t forget, he’s doing it for an incredibly worthy cause.
Leave your comments here or email your ideas to us at info@concernfast.org.
What a day!
Yesterday morning, we launched the 40th Concern Fast - what a memorable day.
Today FM
Then the stars arrived – Ian Dempsey and his team from Today FM, who are kindly supporting the Concern Fast. Every year, the Today FM Breakfast Show is a huge support to the campaign and we’re thrilled they’ll be joining us again.
There were also some super cute kids on hand to help with our photo shoot – Dillon and Nikkita.
Radio gaga
There were lots of other visitors too – the Spinis from Spin 103.8 dropped by. They’re going to do a “dress up” day in aid of the Concern Fast – what a brilliant idea.
The 98 Thunders called in as well to show their support and deliver some goodie bags. You may have heard Phantom FM mention us too. Later in the week, they will be interviewing our very own Richard Dixon, Concern’s Fundraising Director. Tune in at 4.20pm on Thursday.
And so it begins
The photo shoot was great and it was amazing that so many people joined us at the launch! A huge thank you to everyone who helped to organise the day and who came along; I just know it’s going to be the best Fast ever!
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Curly’s doing the Concern Fast!
Our friend Curly the pig, from Pigsback.com has bravely decided to join us on the Concern Fast 2009!
Much-needed funds
Curly is a long standing supporter of the Concern Fast and friend of Concern. He even has a fancy online fundraising profile. Curly has come on board this year, to help raise much needed funds for the millions of people who go hungry every day, in the world’s poorest communities.
So why not visit www.concernfast.org/curlypigsback where you can sponsor Curly, read his personal message and see how he’s progressing towards his Fast sponsorship target!
He can’t wait to get started and is hoping you’ll visit his profile and sponsor him whatever you can!
Sign up yourself
Well actually, when we say fancy profile, you could have a similar one if you sign up to the Fast yourself. Use your profile to get your friends and family to sponsor you.
Did you know that if you’re a Pigsback.com member, you can earn a cool 50 PiggyPoints when you sign up to do the Concern Fast through Pigsback.com? Sign up today and collect those PiggyPoints!
Kenny talks to Fasters
Last week, Colaiste Eanna in Rathfarnham welcomed Kenny Matampash to their school. Kenny, who is from the Maasai tribe in Kenya, spoke to a large group of second years in the school.
Firsthand accounts
He talked to the students in Colaiste Eanna about a number of issues facing both his native Kenya and our global neighbourhood. These included the challenge of climate change. He was able to give firsthand accounts of the impact this is having on the lives of the Maasai tribespeople, which were an eye-opener for all present.
Learning about Massai
Students also got the opportunity to learn about Kenny’s Maasai heritage. Kenny wore his traditional Maasai outfit and even taught the students how to count in Maasai!
We were delighted teacher Francis O’Brien and the students of Colaiste Eanna agreed to host our speaker.
Gearing up to Fast
Colaiste Eanna was new to the Fast last year and raised loads of money for people who go hungry everyday. We are very happy to hear that they are gearing up to participate again this year.
Best to luck to them and every school taking part this December!
Coming to a school near you!
This summer, I got the chance to spend some time in Kenya with the Concern Debates winners. In the lead up to the Fast, I’ll be visiting schools around the country and talking to students about my experiences.
Another world
During my trip, I visited Mathare slum in Nairobi. Going into the slums is like entering another world. It’s hard to imagine how people cope in such conditions.
It’s even harder to imagine how a six-year-old child might cope, especially having to look after her younger siblings by herself. But this is exactly what Gloria, a young child from the slums, has had to do.
A lifeline
I visited Baruka Health Clinic, where Gloria and her brother and sister spend their day. The clinic is a lifeline for children like her – indeed, for many people struggling to get by in the slums.
The rising cost of food has meant that many more people are now going hungry and really need our help.
Visiting schools
Already, many schools around Ireland are signing up to this year’s Fast and getting involved in a variety of ways.
I will be visiting various schools up and down the country, sharing experiences of my time in Kenya. I’ll speak about the difficult conditions I witnessed firsthand, and the positive work that is being done. I’m hoping to show just how you can make a difference in people’s lives.
Get in touch
So, are there any teachers out there who would like me to visit their school? I’m happy to talk to classes or year groups.
My email address is fionnagh.nally@concern.net. Or, you can give me a call on 087 255 5177. Looking forward to hearing from you!
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Faster wisdom: video
We asked some secondary school students about their experiences doing the Fast. To bask in their collective wisdom, watch the video below.
Experiences of the Fast: video
What do Will, Fionnagh and Caroline have in common? Answer: they’re all in this video, talking about their experiences of the Fast.
Go on, give it up
The Fast is about giving up food. That much is obvious. Lots of people don’t give up eating for 24 hours. Instead, they organise a fundraising event, or give up something else.
Sacrilege
Some thought it impossible, while others thought it blasphemous even to mention it. But yes, there are a few brave people willing to give up their mobile phones for 24 hours. Could you handle it?
Football fanatics
We’ve already written about not speaking for a day, but what about not talking about football. Or, not managing your fantasy football team for an entire 24 hours?
Give it up
Coffee, cigarettes, booze, cursing, driving and getting the bus were also popular suggestions.
Whatever you choose to do, or not to do, your fundraising efforts will be greatly appreciated.
The answers
Last week, we asked if you recognised any of the famous faces in the picture gallery of our supporters. And to answer one anonymous comment, no, Peter Stringfellow was not amongst them.
Andrea Corr, Eoin Keohan, Lisa O'Flynn, Ian Dempsey and Carmel Harris, Frankie Sheehan, Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara, Gabriel Byrne and Vard Sisters, John Donnellan, Karen Gallagher and Tim McGarry.
Followed by...
Westlife, Paddy Kielty, John Daly, Big O, Christine Bleakley, Siobhan Hanley and the chef Paul Rankin, Bertie Ahern and Pat Kenny.
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40 years and counting
Happy birthday! The Fast is 40 years old this year. How did it start? This is its story.
Once upon a time
Picture the scene: a man sits down to his beloved steak dinner. On the black and white television (it is 40 years ago after all) are harrowing scenes of starving children in Biafra. He can’t eat his dinner – people are starving to death.
The man decides he has to do something and so he fasts for 48 hours outside Dublin’s General Post Office to raise money for these people. And the first Concern Fast is born!
Years later
Things have changed since then. The Fast is now 24 hours long with thousands of people all over Ireland taking place. But the sentiment is still the same: raising money for people who are suffering from poverty and starvation. People like Gloria.
Famous faces
Over the years, loads of people have taken part. All heroes in their own right, but some are more famous than others. Can you recognise any in the picture gallery? Post your guesses to the comments below. I’ll post the answers here next week.
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Silence please!
Can you go a whole day without talking? For last year’s Fast, one of the guys who works with us in the Concern office did just that.
He proved us all wrong though: he lasted the entire day without making a sound. Looking back on his day of silence, Jim has this to say:
“I have to admit it was really tough, considering I’m such a talker! To stay silent all day while working made it so much harder.
The deck of cards
“Thanks to my wonderful sister Aoife, who printed me out some practical flash cards, I was able to communicate with people without talking. I even had a card that said ‘€1.50 please.’ That came in handy when I had to buy a bus ticket in the morning.
“In work, I could rely on email, text and my notebook to ensure I could still do my job. A favourite flash card said ‘Ask Justin’ (my boss).
The line of comedians
“It had been decided that laughing was breaking the silence, so naturally I had all the comedians here lining up to try to break me. The IT guys were particularly ruthless. They even closed the door to block any attempt at escape. I had a card saying ‘Hahahahahaha’, but that’s little consolation when you’re fit to burst!
"But the closest call I had was in the evening, when my lovely wife Elaine called from the kitchen to ask if I wanted a nice cup of tea. I just about stopped a grateful and tired reply of 'yes please.'
Making a difference
“Although I was proud of my own determination, the most fulfilling thing was knowing where the money I raised was going. I’m lucky to have met some of the people we work with in Bangladesh, where I saw how we can make a difference for hungry and impoverished people.”
The Fast, without fasting
Jim’s story is a great example of how, to take part in the Fast, you don’t necessarily have to give up food. Every year, people taking part engage in all sorts of fundraising activities.
Some people dye their hair, some shave their head. Some give up speaking, some unicycle to work with cabbages balanced on their head. Well, nobody has done that last one, but you get the idea.
Have you decided how you’re going to fundraise yet? Have a look at our list of fundraising ideas.
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