Selfless couple Andy and Joan take 'People of the Year' title
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Wednesday March 10 2010
A SELFLESS commitment over the past fifteen years to the children of Belarus earned Caim couple Andy and Joan Cloake the prestigious Wexford Person of the Year title.
Regarded as a 'labour of love' Andy and Joan have committed themselves to helping and showing love and respect to the sick and poor children in Belarus.
For the first ten years they were associated with the Cork Charity 'Chernobyl Children's Project'.
However, in 2004 they set up their own charity 'Chernobyl Child Aid' in the Enniscorthy region, and since then twice every year, in April and October, they muster a force of volunteers to accompany them on their journey of mercy to Belarus.
They bring with them truck loads of essential goods and when there they often transform a situation by rolling up their sleeves and working on the ground.
In late 2009, as well as medical and hospital equipment, clothes, toys and building materials, they brought with them to Rathanka, six voluntary helpers. Among the things completed while there, they built and equipped a Laundry Room and upgraded the toilets in a hospital for children.
Every Summer Andy and Joan, along with their friends from the Enniscorthy area, organise a group of about forty of Belarusian's sick children to come on holidays to many parts of Enniscorthy and surrounding areas for a muchneeded respite holiday.
MC Ronan Collins said this couple show enormous humility and honesty in everything they do, whether it is fundraising for the cause, or delivering goods to Belarus, or completing DIY work schemes in orphanages while there.
Having stayed silent while earlier accepting the Humanitarian Award, from sponsor Wexford's Farmers Co-op's P.J. D'Arcy, an emotional Joan thanked their nominator.
'In my opinion we don't deserve this. We appreciate it. The numbers of people doing work in this country deserve it more than we do, thank you to everyone,' added Andy.
In paying tribute to all the award winners, the Leas Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Jim Moore, said that volunteering is a word traded around quite a bit but is a most powerful force for change.
'We don't seem to be able to put a price on human endeavor, the price is invaluable. Tonight is exceptional in an exceptional time. While the award categories are varied, the winners all see a challenge and say how can I make a difference. They serve as an inspiration to us all in our every day working lives,' he said.
'It is a celebration of endeavor, sheer hard work and community spirit,' said David Tucker, representing People Newspapers.
'As a paper we share your aspirations and dreams. In this great county there is a sense of community and a coming together of people from all walks of life. All our winners are shining lights... Each has made, or is still making, an indelible mark in their communities,' he added.
