Finn-al prep for charity trip to Africa begins
A Cork teenager and his father are about to undertake a challenge of a lifetime in Africa.
16 year old Finn Dalton is gearing up to travel to the Namibia/Angolan border on a two week humanitarian expedition. The Cork City FC Academy member and TY student at Christian Brothers College in Cork city will be part of a group of eight students, all accompanied by their fathers, on the experience. It’s part of an 18 month expedition by the Kingsley Holgate Foundation which is focusing on malaria prevention, right to sight and conservation.
Finn, who has been part of the Cork City FC Academy since he was 13, will be handing out mosquito nets to families in rural communities and will use a football analogy to highlight the importance of preventative measures. He will explain how the nets work by describing the mosquito as a football and the mosquito net as a goal.
Cork City FC has donated 55 jerseys which Finn will bring for a community celebration at the end of each community visit. He will organise a soccer game and the players will be given the jerseys to sign them up to City’s Rebel Army.
Speaking about the trip, Finn said: “The Kingsley Holgate Foundation is doing incredible work in some of the poorest areas of Africa and I am really looking forward to helping out as we try to educate people on the importance of malaria prevention.
“We will also be helping those with poor eyesight by doing tests and providing them with glasses to help improve their quality of life. I am grateful for the support from Cork City FC and Christian Brothers College and it will be really exciting to see youngsters in rural villages in Namibia donning the Cork colours as we end each village visit with a soccer match with local players as a celebration for the entire community.”
Liam Kearney, Head of Cork City FC Academy said: “We are really proud of Finn and are delighted to support him as he embarks on what will undoubtedly be a life-changing experience for him and his father Brian. Finn has demonstrated exceptional skills and determination both on and off the pitch and we are confident that he will use his talents to help improve the lives of those in need.”
The group are raising vital funds for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation to purchase mosquito nets, food and glasses and for a school in Uganda called the HELP School.