Cork Beauty Gives Back
Former Ms Cork, Aisling Cronin, will be running her legs off for Oxfam Ireland's Fair Trade producers. The Cork model is taking part in the Evening Echo's Mini Marathon and will be putting on her trainers for a cause she believes in.
Aisling said: “I really enjoyed my year as Ms Cork and the chance to be able to get involved in a Cork based cause is really great for me. Fair Trade sits well with me because it's not just about charity; it's about helping people to help themselves. It gives people dignity and a chance for their children to have a future.” Oxfam Ireland 's support to Fair Trade goes beyond buying their products at a fair price, it also provides business development training to each producer allowing them to create a business that can support their communities in the long term.
Aisling is also an economics student at UCC and feels that her understanding of global economics is what has drawn her to this concept. Aisling said: “I think that people often don't realise the impact their shopping can have on a global scale. Ethical shopping, though it's a buzz word at the moment, is something that people are starting to take very seriously. It's not enough anymore to just buy something without thinking about the consequences. So I feel that helping Oxfam's Cork Fair Trade shop which is run by local Volunteers, makes me feel that I am part of my community.”
Oxfam Ireland operates four Fair Trade shops (Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast), each of which is managed by a paid member of staff, but all other assistance is provided by a team of dedicated volunteers. The volunteers are crucial to the running of the shops and these people, through their time and effort, are the reason that the shops can remain open six days a week like their commercial competitors.
Aisling will be running the Mini Marathon to support the Cork shop, but also to highlight the cause itself.
Aisling said: “I'll definitely give it my best shot. It'll probably be a combination of running and walking but I am crossing that finish line even if I have to crawl. My sister is a jogger so I think she will have me out a few times before hand to make sure I'm up to it. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.”
Find out more about Oxfam Ireland 's Fair Trade 
Or to sponsor Aisling Cronin drop into the Cork Shop, located at 8A French Church Street, Cork City Center, or visit www.mycharity.ie/event/aislingcronin_fairtrade
Contact
For further information, to arrange interviews or to request high resolution images for reproduction, in ROI please contact Paul Dunphy, Oxfam Ireland Media Executive on 01 6350 422; in NI please contact Phillip Graham, Oxfam Ireland's Media Officer, on 028 9089 5959 or 07841 102535 (mobile).
Additional Information
- 2008 sees Oxfam Ireland celebrate its 10th anniversary, with Oxfam operating internationally for over 60 years.
- Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International, a confederation of 13 Oxfams worldwide.
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