A new festival aims to encourage people to volunteer time to the charity sector.
Celebrating International Year of the Volunteer, the first ever Volunteer Festival is launched. Up to 66 national charities gathered in Dublin to launch of the festival which hopes to encourage more people to engage in volunteer work.
Hardly a day goes by that you see someone somewhere that's in need of a little more help and as often is the case that extra hand comes from a charity group.
Charity groups are now asking for a little help themselves in the form of more volunteers.
Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development Workers, announced details of a volunteer festival designed to encourage people to make time for others.
Conall Ó Caoimh of Comhlámh acknowledges that people are busier than ever and have less time to give. However, he points out that the needs of charitable organisations are just as great as ever. The festival will give people the opportunity to find out what is involved in being a volunteer in different charitable organisations.
Singer songwriter Juliet Turner performed at the launch event at Dublin City Council offices at Wood Quay. Having spent time working with young people in Northern Ireland and as an aid worker in India she appeals to people to get involved and give some of their time to help others.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 September 2001. The reporter is Dympna Moroney.
