Cork charity asking public to walk mile in shoes of those less fortunate to raise funds for Russian hospice

A Cork-based charity has asked the public to walk a mile in the shoes of those less fortunate in a bid to raise funds for Ivanskoye Hospice in Russia.

The Greater Chernobyl Cause which previously supported the renovation of the Russian hospice, will raise funds for its operational costs by asking supporters to walk a mile anytime up to the end of June, and donate whatever they can afford via the charity’s iDonate profile.

Founded by Fiona Corcoran, Greater Chernobyl Cause has worked to improve the lives of vulnerable people living with the effects of nuclear testing, abandonment, orphanage, and those living in horrendous conditions throughout Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

Patients of Ivanskoye Hospice, located 200 miles northeast of Moscow, were deprived of proper food and medication and were “clinging to life” in a leaking building when Ms Corcoran and her team visited.

The charity commemorated the 34th anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster with Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan in late April and is now asking the public for help with its activity-based fundraiser.

Speaking about the launch of the new campaign, Ms Corcoran said that she would “love” for people to use their next opportunity to go for a walk by “thinking about how fortunate many of us are, even in spite of the social distancing restrictions placed upon us recently”.

“By asking the public to walk a mile in the shoes of others, we hope to raise vitally important funds to help the truly vulnerable in the Ivanskoye Hospice, and help those who are not as fortunate.

“The Irish have shown wonderful resolve to help others, especially in recent times, and we’d like to play our part too for those in Ivanskoye,” she said.

“I am appealing once again to the Irish tradition of spontaneous giving, even in these hard economic times here at home. Our work with the forgotten people must continue,” she said.

Those who are active on social media are encouraged to use the hashtag #MileInTheirShoesGCC to support the cause.

Donations can be made online via iDonate.ie/greaterchernobylcause or directly to the charity via greaterchernobylcause.ie, or by cheque to the Greater Chernobyl Cause, Unit 2, Southside Industrial Estate, Pouladuff Road, Togher, Cork.