During my tenure as president of the GAA, I decided that the GAA should adopt one charity each year.
The mission statement for the chosen charity for 2007 Playing for Life is - The relief, assistance and empowerment of people in need, in less developed areas of the world through sport and vocational training.
I travelled with a group of sports personalities and players to Malowi for just over 3 weeks and while there we helped to build a community centre, initiated some coaching sessions in hurling and football. We also initiated an Aids awareness Programme as well as irrigation projects.
Our time there was a special and an eye opening experience that I shall never forget.
Special Olympics
In 2003, Croke Park hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of this magnificent event.
The efforts of the athletes were commended by all in attendance including Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Mrs Kennedy Shriver, and Arnold Schwassneger.
Since then I have been a patron of the Special Olympics, Kerry Branch and have launched some subsequent events that aim to raise awareness and increase funding.
