Joby Hennessy, a primary school teacher from Kilteely in County Limerick, was one of the participants in the recent White Collar Boxing night which took place in Limerick. White collar boxing is a sport where amateurs are trained to box for a particular occasion usually to raise funds for some good cause. Joby’s chosen charity was The Children’s Grief Project which is run by Sr. Helen Culhane.
The project is housed inside its notable red door in the old Mount Convent, on O’Connell Avenue in Limerick. Sr. Helen, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I visited The Children’s Grief Project worked as a social worker and in Milford Hospice for a number of years before setting up this venture.
The Children’s Grief Project is a support service which is provided to children who have been bereaved or whose parents have divorced or separated. Helen gives her service free of charge and so has helped many children in need. The children have a lovely warm space where they are enabled to work through their grief and emotions. Sr. Helen guides and supports them along the path following bereavement and helps them to come to terms with the loss they have suffered in their young lives.
The Children’s Grief Project is a very worthy charity and was chosen by Joby as he wished specifically to raise money for a charity which supported and helped children. He is a primary school teacher in Emly National School, County Tipperary and is thus aware of the needs of children. As part of the fund raising campaign, the pupils and teachers of Emly National School held a ‘No Uniform Day’ and they raised almost €200 for the charity.
Thankfully Joby emerged unscathed from his three bouts in the ring and there were no major injuries to report. He was also victorious, not that the event was about winning, but it certainly did make all the effort and training seem more worthwhile. He was delighted and also delighted to have raised money for his chosen charity. Sr. Helen does very valuable work and we applaud her.
Alicia Hayes
South Central Province
