Travellers Women’s Group First Success

Chairperson of Ballinasloe Traveller Women's Group Helen Cawley along with Community Development Office Karyn Gavin and Community Member Ann Marie Fallen.

The Ballinasloe Traveller Women’s Group were overwhelmed with the community response to their first project, hosting a coffee morning and bake sale to fundraise for Pieta House. In total, the ladies raised €1239.22 for the charity which provides counselling and family support services for those who have been affected by suicide or self harm.
 
Established last year by members of Galway Rural Development, the Local Traveller Women’s Group have been active in the community, meeting twice a month.
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The group produced a short film “Life on the Road", a production which celebrated traveller tradition, heritage and culture. Additionally, the ladies made an appearance at the Dublin International Film Festival for the premier of Mincéir to show their support to local traveller activist Nora Corcoran who featured in the documentary.
 
The coffee morning and bake sale was the first fundraising project organised by the ladies, based on an original proposal  to have an open discussion with the community regarding suicide awareness. As well as fundraising for Pieta House, the occasion aimed to promote the “Hello, How are You?” campaign, encouraging people to engage in these discussions and ask the simple “how are you” question to those of us in distress.

The April event was packed, estimated that in total 160 people came to show their support. On offer were a sumptuous selection of baked treats and cakes by the organisers, along with a free raffle . The team in Ballinasloe were assisted by GRD members of Athenry and Tuam in managing the occasion.
 
The women raised a total of €1239.22, presented their cheque to Joe Burke of Pieta House going directly towards counselling and family supports provided by Pieta House.
 
Chairperson Helen Cawley was incredibly grateful for the community response and the donations especially from  local businesses, sharing: “Thank god it was a huge success, Ballinasloe town - absolutely proud to be from it. The response that we got was brilliant.” Likewise Helen praised the Women’s Group for their incredible work delivering the event and their action in producing all the baked goods. Committee member Anne Marie Fallon was effusive in her praise stating  “I want to thank the townspeople, the support they gave, was so generous . I couldn’t name them all”.
 
“Massive shout-out to the community of Ballinasloe, we’re absolutely overwhelmed with the response we had today” voiced Community Development Officer Karyn Gavin. Karyn particularly emphasised the modest aim of the event sharing: “Our message from today’s event is simple - just to say hello, be kind, and talk to people”.
 
The Ballinasloe Traveller Women’s Group are looking forward to organising new future events, with plenty more activities planned in the pipeline. The group are happy to welcome new members, who can be contacted at the GRD Offices on Dunlo Street or via Karyn Gavin at kgavin@grd.ie and by phone at 087 6217917.

Chairperson of Ballinasloe Traveller Women's Group Helen Cawley along with Community Development Office Karyn Gavin and Community Member Ann Marie Fallen.