TWO Limerick GAA stars are part of a 40-strong team aiming to plant one million trees in Africa.
Footballer Kate Kennedy from St Ailbe’s in Pallasgreen and inter-county camogie player Caoimhe Costello from Adare were part of the 40-strong team of GAA players who travelled to Kenya to launch the one million trees campaign.
The campaign aims to plant a million trees to raise awareness of global warming and combat the effects of climate change in Africa.
The event was part of the Plant the Planet games founded by former Galway inter-county player Alan Kerins and organised by Irish development charity Self Help Africa, in collaboration with Alan’s Warriors for Humanity and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA). The campaign also saw the Limerick ladies take part in a Gaelic Games showcase with local sports stars.
The participating players from 14 counties raised over €450,000 to support Self Help Africa’s tree planting campaign.
Caoimhe held a quiz night and a camogie camp to support the initiative, while Kate held a raffle and other activities to support her fundraising efforts.
The group were guests at a reception hosted by Irish ambassador Caitríona Ingoldsby, and visited agricultural projects being implemented by Self Help Africa in Kenya. They also took part in training sessions at the elite athletics camp established and run by Cork-born missionary priest and ‘Godfather of Kenyan running’, Brother Colm O’Connell.
Speaking on social media after the trip, Caoimhe Costello said that she was inspired by the experience.
“I was truly inspired and humbled by the Kenyan people and their innate desire to live life to the fullest. They welcomed us into their homes, schools, and everywhere we went. We can learn a huge amount from how they lead their lives,” she said.
Former Galway inter-county player Alan Kerins outlined sport’s ability to bring people of different cultures together.
“Sport has the power to bring people from different cultures together, and this trip was an example of what can be achieved when people come together with the same goal,” he said.
Source: Limerickpost.ie
