b'AROUND THE WORLDFRANCETheIrelandFundofFranceAssistsTheChildrensArkUnitatUniversityHospitalLimerickNOVEMBER, 2014It was a happy ending to the year for the staff at the Childrens Ark Unit at UniversityLeane Moloney, Ann Garvey, Helen Lambert, Hospital Limerick as they took possession of a Paediatric Critical Care Trolley, acquired by the hospital with theKeith Earls, Mairead Cowan, Marian Murphy,Dr. John Twomey, Juliette McSweeney,help of a grant from The Ireland Funds. The Childrens Ark was supported by The Ireland Fund of France at thePaul OConnell, Frank Keane, Dr. Roy PhilipWild Geese Rugby Dinner this year in Paris on the eve of the France-Ireland Six Nations rugby match. Dr. JohnPhoto: Kieran Clancy Twomey, consultant paediatrician at the hospital and guest at the Wild Geese Dinner, was present to welcome Helen Lambert, President of The Ireland Fund of France, and Ann Garvey, Secretary-General of the associa-tion. As they visited the wards in the Unit he explained how the Critical Care Trolley would play a vital role in the care of young patients who were seriously ill. Juliette McSweeny, clinical nurse manager, also spoke about theimportance of transporting young patients as quickly and as safely as possible, either within the hospital or while being transferred to an Intensive Care Unit in Dublin. The Wild Geese Dinner has traditionally been associated with the IrelandFrance rugby match in Paris, an association that was celebrated once again at the handover ceremony by the presence of Paul OConnell, Captain of the Ireland Rugby team, and fellow Munster and Ireland teammate, Keith Earls. The two players, both natives of Limerick, are frequent visitors to the Childrens Ark in their roles as goodwill ambassadors. In her speech, Helen Lambert said that The Ireland Fund of France had set itself the objective of making a difference to peoples lives; she felt that this would be the case for both staff and patients in the hospital with such a practical piece of equipment now ready to be used in case of an emergency. She extended her thanks to Ronan OGara for his support as guest of honour at the Wild Geese Rugby dinner and also to the local businesses and organizations in the Midwest region who had contributed so generously to the charity auction at the event: Munster Rugby Club, Shannon Airport, Dromoland Castle, the Strand Hotel Limerick and Shannon Heritage.connect2015 | 92'