An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | 'God's Tears' used to help former members of the Defence Forces by SGT WAyNE FITzGERALD PhotoS by ARMN ADAM MURPHy O n the 6th July 2016, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM launched the organisation of National Ex Service Person- nel (oNE) Fuchsia Appeal at the Defence Forces monu- ment in Merrion Square, Dublin. In launching the appeal, the CoS was accompanied by Mick Carroll, National President of oNE; ollie o'Connor, Chief Executive of oNE; newly elected Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr brendan Carr and Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe tD. Also present were Minister of State for Justice David Stanton tD and former Minister for Defence Simon Coveney tD, now Minister for hous- ing, Planning and Local Government. The Fuchsia Appeal was first launched in 2009 and since then the appeal fund has gradually grown from around €14,000 to over €100,000 in 2015. The ONE Fuchsia Appeal helps raise much-needed funds to assist former members of the Defence Forces who have regrettably fallen on hard times. ONE also needs to fundraise €600,000 annually to con- tinue running its residential centres in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone and drop-in centres in Dundalk and Limerick. ONE is currently providing residential care for up to 40 former Defence Forces members at a modest cost to the state. The Fuchsia badge is sold as part of the fundraising initiative, and is stamped with the word 'Cuimhnímis', - 'Let us Remember' to remind every- body of this great initiative. The fuch- sia itself was chosen as their fund- raising symbol because it is widely grown throughout Ireland. Today, the Fuchsia serves as a fundraising sym- bol, a badge of remembrance and an emblem to honour all those currently serving in the Defence Forces. Ollie O'Connor, ONE CEO, says: "The Fuchsia appeal is vital for the organi- sation. It enables us to help former colleagues who are having a difficult time and are without a home. Many of these people gave outstanding service to the state and to the United Nations and for one reason or another have not been able to make ends meet since leaving the service." Minis- ter Kehoe thanked Ministers Coveney and Stanton for their continued support of veterans of the Defence Forces. Min- ister Kehoe said, "With all the 1916 Centenary celebrations this year it is important to remember all those that have served and died in the Defence Forces... It is fitting that we remember them at this memorial." He also thanked ONE for their continued support of former members of the Defence Forces, telling them: "You really make a difference to ex service personnel". Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM said it was a privilege and honour to launch the appeal. He spoke of the support, sacrifice and hope that ONE provides to its members, saying charity begins at home and he commended and thanked ONE for their continued work. He said he remembered liv- ing in Co Mayo on Ireland's west coast, where the fuchsia grows freely and was called deora Dé or 'God's tears'. There was also a special presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Trisha McLoughlin, who has been a great advocate and fundraiser for ONE, as she herself battles cancer. Trisha has recently raised €6,600 by swimming a mile for the ONE, which is one of her many recent fund- raising efforts. Trisha is the wife of Defence Forces veteran Colin McLoughlin and mother of Cpl Kira Conaghton, 6 Inf Bn. - Fuchsia Appeal 2016

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