Christopher Biggins and students from Alexandra College launch HOPE Carnival 2015

The Hope Foundation is a charity that is very close to my heart for many reasons, the main one being that I have seen first hand the life saving work they undertake on behalf of poor kids in Kolkata, its suburbs and hinterland.

Maureen Forrest, its founder and director works tirelessly and selflessy to raise funds to help the kids who are oftentimes orphans, addicts and worse - many of whom have nothing but The Hope Foundation to give them a chance at living some semblance of a normal life. 

I have worked with this foundation over the last number of years in a Press & PR capacity and I am extremely proud to do so. We shot the photos in Alexandra College, Milltown and had patron and thespian Christopher Biggins mix and chat to the college students who were of course delighted to see him. 

Please see below for more details regarding the upcoming carnival and drop in to say hello, buy a cake or browse the bric a brac stall. 

Hope Carnival 2015 Press Release

British actor and television presenter, Christopher Biggins joined students from Alexandra College, Dublin to launch the first HOPE Summer Carnival and Market taking place between 2-6pm on Sunday, 14 June. 

Taking place in the Green Door Market, New Market, Dublin 8, carnival goers will be entertained by fairground games such as hood-a-duck, coconut shy and ring toss, along with a selection of ‘pre-loved’ clothes stalls, homemade cakes and treats and hidden gems in the bric a brac section. Entry to the HOPE Carnival is free and all proceeds from the afternoon go to the Hope Foundation’s (HOPE) work with street and slum children in Kolkata.

Speaking about the Carnival, HOPE Parton, Christopher Biggins stated, ‘'It's my pleasure to launch the HOPE Carnival for the Hope Foundation. I have been involved with HOPE for many years and have seen how they change the lives of the street and slum children in Kolkata through their education projects and child protection homes. The HOPE Carnival will be a day of celebrations with market stalls and carnival games to keep all ages entertained for the afternoon and all money raised will go towards helping HOPE continue their good work.’

The Hope Foundation (HOPE) is an Irish charity supporting overseas development and tackling humanitarian issues in India. If you would like to volunteer with the event team on the day or help with facepainting please contact Jayann@hopefoundation.ie or call 01 871 6930.

About The Hope Foundation

HOPE is an Irish charity supporting overseas development and tackling humanitarian issues in Kolkata, India. Over 250,000 children are forced to exist on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata (Calcutta). The Hope Foundation (HOPE) was established in Ireland by Irish humanitarian Maureen Forrest in 1999 to help these children.

Sixteen years on HOPE now provide support to over 60 projects including education, primary healthcare, child protection, children’s shelters, vocational training and drugs rehabilitation. With offices in Cork, Dublin, UK, Germany and India, HOPE also works with 14 local Indian NGOs to rescue thousands of children from the streets and slums of Kolkata.

The Hope Foundation is a registered Irish charity (CHY 13237) and is governed by the Dóchas Code of Corporate Governance. The HOPE Honorary Director, Maureen Forrest, does not take a salary. 

For more information see www.hopefoundation.ie and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HopeFoundationIreland and Twitter @HopeFoundation

An Evening Of Fashion with host Miriam O Callaghan in aid of The Hope Foundation, 4th February at the Conrad Hotel

[slideshow] I had the pleasure of photographing Miriam O’Callaghan, Karena Graham, Eileen Crerar and Julie Somerville last Thursday for the launch of  "An Evening Of Fashion" in aid of the Hope Foundation. More information regarding this exciting night and the deserving Hope Foundation can be found below.

Miriam O’Callaghan joined gorgeous models Karena Graham, Eileen Crerar and Julie Somerville to launch Alexandra College’s “An Evening of Fashion” in aid of The Hope Foundation, which will take place in the Conrad Hotel Dublin on Friday 4th February.

A glamorous night is in store for guests, who will enjoy a Champagne reception on arrival at 7pm, followed by a fabulous fashion show at 8pm, with compere, Miriam O’Callaghan. The show will feature a number of well known Irish models, as well as a few surprise models!

The latest fashion trends from Karen Millen, L.K. Bennett, Coast, A-Wear, Gap, Sisley, Gant, Fran & Jane, Butterfly Brides, Marian Gale, Pearl Boutique, CCKT, Chica Boutique, Noel Reid Menswear, Kidzone, 99B and many more will feature in the show. Guests will also enjoy a special performance from a Bollywood dance troupe and much more!

Tickets are €45 each and all proceeds will go to The Hope Foundation which was set up in 1999 to raise funds for one girls’ home; and now works with 16 Indian NGO partners to rescue thousands of children from the streets and slums of Kolkata (Calcutta) in India, improve their quality of life, and give them a better future.

Funds raised at “An Evening for Fashion” will go directly to the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCFC) which is funded by Alexandra College, who have raised over €30,000 per year for the project for the last number of years. RCFC was founded in 1973 and is one of HOPE’s partners. Its Polio Hospital is considered one of the best orthopaedic hospital’s for children in the State. RCFC’s main mission is to provide surgery and rehabilitation of orthopedically disabled children up to 14 years of age from underprivileged families.

Tickets for “An Evening of Fashion” on February 4th are available now online at www.hopefoundation.ie or from Alexandra College on (01) 4977571/ (087) 2570975.