Preparations are well underway for the RTÉ People in Need Telethon charity fundraiser.
Around the county people are gathering to plan events for the third RTÉ People in Need Telethon charity fundraiser. These range from beer belly competitions to three legged Wellington boot races. Generally held every two years, the Telethon will be taking place on 8 May 1992.
The serious business of coordinating the six hour live broadcast of the telethon falls to RTÉ executive producer Moya Doherty. There will be outside broadcasts from seven locations around the country and broadcaster Gerry Ryan will take to the air in a 'Sky Ship' helicopter, for a fundraising treasure hunt event.
South-East RTÉ producer Peter McEvoy and his team deliberate over which events to televise.
We always succeed. It's always good because you’ve got great enthusiasm from everybody involved.
Michael Garvey coordinator of the Waterford Telethon is impressed by the level of interest in the region. Already People in Need Telethon 1992 has more people getting involved in raising money than ever before.
According to People in Need Chief Executive John Curry, the event is different to other causes as it attracts individuals who do not usually get involved with fundraising for charity.
Although the People in Need Trust raises and distributes money to a variety of charitable organisations, it ensures finance raised in a particular religion goes back into that area. Michael Garvey confirms that the first two Telethons saw £550,000 going to charities in the south-east region.
The 1992 People in Need Telethon raised approximately £2,348,138.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 April 1992. The reporter is Laura O'Mahony.
