Rugby legend teams up with PREDA

Rugby legend teams up with PREDA

This story by Sean Ryan appeared today, 21 May 2010 on ciNews, a service of Catholic Ireland.net. Rugby Union is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, as it is in some other countries where Columbans work or are from: Australia, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Scotland, Tonga.

Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend Jerry Flannery (in photo) is teaming up with PREDA, run by Fr Shay Cullen, to save Filipino children from the sex industry. 

The Western Hotel in Galway City is co-ordinating the unique rugby jersey raffle, which was the brainchild of Jerry Flannery.  Galway Community College is also lending its support to the exciting initiative which is been backed by the owner of the Western Hotel, Eugene Kelville, a past student of Galway Community College.

Jerry has donated his player issued Ireland jersey from the autumn international against Fiji held on November 21 last.  The Ireland rugby squad has signed the rare item of sport memorabilia and Jerry has arranged for a squad-signed Munster, Ulster and Leinster jersey to be auctioned on the night.

The highflying Connaught team was quick to lend its support and has donated a signed jersey making it a truly unique auction.

All profits from the raffle will be donated directly to meet the growing needs of the children rescued by PREDA.  The proceeds of the raffle will be given to Fr Shay Cullen and his team by PREDA supporter and singer Damien Dempsey. 

He will be travelling at his own expense to the PREDA home in the Philippines in early June to see the impact people who have supported the work of PREDA Galway in recent years have had. 

The jersey raffle will take place on the night of the Heineken Cup Final namely May 22 next.

by Sean Ryan