Mayo Rape Crisis Centre (MRCC) name Martina Jennings as Mayo’s Inspirational Woman

 

Nollaig na mBan Inspirational Woman 2015 Martina Jennings pictured with Senator Marie Louise McDonnell and Therese O’Grady, Sports Clinic West, who sponsored the event. Photo: Trish Forde.

Inspirational sister, daughter, mother and relentless Cystic Fibrosis activist, Martina Jennings, was  awarded the title of Mayo’s Inspirational Woman by MRCC, at a packed out venue at the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar 06.01.15. The fundraising event Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas, was held to raise funds for the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre building in Castlebar which is in urgent need of repair after recent storm damage revealed extensive structural problems.

Martina Jennings was nominated by her brother Billy who has CF, as well as others including her own daughter. Martina's mother died when Billy was 7 years old and since then, together with her sister Caroline she has cared for Billy right up until a recent lung and heart transplant and continues to do so. As a fundraiser extraordinaire for CF West, she has helped make a 1.3 Million euro clinic for people with Cystic Fibrosis a reality. Focused on her goal, Martina has been relentless in her pursuit of making the world and Mayo not just more informed but a better place for those with CF.

The event, which was sold out within days of the tickets going on sale, saw keynote speaker, Senator Marie Louise O Donnell, broadcaster, politician and lecturer, deliver a hilarious yet thought-provoking speech about the empowerment of women, ending with an outstanding recital of renowned African-American poet, Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’. Luxury gifts generously donated from across the local business community for spot prizes and raffle prizes were distributed to over 130 women who enthusiastically supported the event, including well-known TV presenter sisters, Grainne and Sile Seoige.

Loretta McDonagh, MRCC Acting Director of Services said: “Martina Jennings is a very worthy winner and we are very proud to award her our inaugural Mayo’s Inspirational Woman title for her outstanding work for Cystic Fibrosis. Indeed all the women who were nominated for this award are truly inspirational and deserve to be recognized for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others.

We were completely overwhelmed by the huge level of support we received from the Mayo community, both businesses and individuals, for our Nollaig na mBan fundraising event. This is indicative of the community spirit which has helped us to build the foundations and facilitate a vital service for over 20 years for those affected by sexual violence here in Mayo. With constant threats to our funding we have to rely on the generosity of our local public and they have delivered time after time.”