Concern CEO thanks Brian and people of Mullingar

The CEO of Concern Worldwide has praised local charity activist Brian Fagan for raising €200,000 for the charity over the past two decades.

David Regan travelled to Mullingar for a special cheque presentation to mark the landmark donation sum at Brian's Treasure Chest on Castle Street.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Mr Regan praised Mr Fagan and his team of volunteers at Brian's Treasure Chest for their efforts. He also thanked the people of Mullingar for their ongoing support .

“It [€200,000] is a very significant amount. It is over many years and has made a huge difference in so many scenarios. The last fundraiser Brian did was for Turkey and Syria. I was out there after the earthquake. People were trying to survive when it was minus six at night. We were able to provide blankets and some food. We were also able to start building shelters, which is hugely significant, as was the speed of our response.

“They [donations from people in Mullingar and the rest of Ireland] are hugely significant in terms of the impact that they have on people's lives. What is also significant is that when you go to these places they ask about where you are from. The fact that somebody cares matters. There is a sense of hopelessness in may of these places. If you were living in Kenya in the middle of a drought, the fact that somebody cares is important. The sense that there are people out there is actually very important. It is not a material thing, it is psychological.”

Mr Regan also praised Brian for raising awareness of the work done by Concern around the world.

“The fact that you have somebody here getting the community thinking about things and talking about things matters. There are multiple dimensions to it, but it is about the people on ground getting together and doing stuff. It is very real and makes a huge difference for us.”

Brian, who worked with Concern in Albania and Kosovo in 1999 and saw first hand the good work done by the organisation on the ground, praised the people of Mullingar for their continued generosity over the years. He also thanked the volunteers who have worked in Brian's Treasure Chest over the years and helped with various fundraising drives.

Over 90 per cent of people's donations to Concern goes directly to its relief and development programmes around the world. The money given by the people of Mullingar is going where it is needed most, he says.

“It's important to me that people know that their money is going to a reputable organisation that is doing the right things,” he said.