Brent and Bobby Volunteer in Inchicore
For immediate release:
09 August 2011
Rugby Pundit and Dragon’s Den Entrepreneur get their hands dirty in Inchicore
Rugby pundit Brent Pope and hit TV show, Dragon’s Den panellist, Bobby Kerr are getting their hands dirty today volunteering with housing charity Habitat for Humanity Ireland.
The pair are helping out the charity’s four home renovation in Inchicore, which aims to help low income families become homeowners, for the first time.
Earlier this year, both Pope and Kerr volunteered separately on Habitat for Humanity building projects in Zambia.
Pope says: “I had a life changing experience in Zambia but I also know that families face huge problems in Ireland. That is one of the reasons why I decided to partner with Habitat – because they work here and overseas.”
“Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to give something back and also get a better understanding of the challenges these families face. Just talking to the families about their experience today while we are working has been a real eye opener for me.”
Paula (not her real name to protect her privacy) and her family have been approved by Habitat for Humanity Ireland to become a homeowner and are now on a waiting list for mortgage approval. Currently she is living in a small one bedroom flat with her partner and two young children.
“When we become homeowners it is going to transform our lives. My children can grow up in a safe, secure home and we are building up equity in buying our home – we couldn’t have dreamt of this before,” says Paula.
Habitat for Humanity Ireland is partnering with Dublin City Council (DCC) to renovate the homes in Inchicore. The future homeowners are being selected from the DCC housing list according to their level of need, their ability to repay a small mortgage and their willingness to work on-site.
“Habitat for Humanity works closely with the community in which we work, both in Ireland and overseas,” says Karen Kennedy, Habitat for Humanity Ireland Executive Director.
“Partner families, such as Paula’s contribute ‘sweat equity’ – they are involved in the building/renovating of homes working alongside volunteers and trade professionals. They undergo a training programme in budgeting, homeownership and basic DIY. The emphasis is on a hand up, not a hand out,” she says.
To become a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Ireland or learn more about their projects call 01 531 2034 or visit www.habitatireland.ie.
For further information contact Jeannie McCann 01 531 2034 / 086 879 9092.
Notes to Editor:
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit housing organisation.
Its goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Since 1976 it has built more than 400,000 homes worldwide housing more than two million people. It has bases in almost 100 countries.
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