Summer carnival to give hope to Kolkata’s kids

Dublin People 05 Jun 2015

British actor and television presenter, Christopher Biggins is pictured with Hope Foundation Director, Maureen Forrest and students from Alexandra College at the launch the first HOPE Summer Carnival and Market. Photo by Aidan Oliver

THE British actor and television presenter, Christopher Biggins, joined students from Alexandra College in Milltown last week to launch the first HOPE Summer Carnival and Market on Sunday, 14 June.

Taking place between 2-6pm 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.

There will also be 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 patron, Christopher, stated:

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‘It’s my pleasure to launch the HOPE Carnival for the Hope Foundation. I have been involved with HOPE for many years and I 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.

“Al money raised will go towards helping HOPE continue their good work.

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 provides 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.

To volunteer with the event team on the day or to help with face painting contact Jayann@hopefoundation.ie or call 01-8716930.