Monday, 26 July 2010 14:00

Malahide man, Frank Coughlan is all set to boat around Ireland backwards to raise funds for a Haiti fundraising appeal by the charity, Haven. Going to sea from Malahide Marina on the 1st of August, he will be taking on the tough challenge of circumnavigating the Irish coastline against the prevailing winds. “I’m totally inspired by Haiti, the kids, the people are just so resilient and so amazing,” Frank told the County Leader.Dubbed the ‘Wrong way round Ireland challenge for Haiti’, Frank and Haven launched the fundraiser on the 14th July with a special barbeque in Gibney’s pub in Malahide to wish him bon voyage. He said: “When you get down there and see the kids, they’re so thankful, and for people who have nothing, very little means a lot and that’s really why I’m doing it.” The challenge is 1,000 miles in length and there are six planned stops along the way to raise funds for Haven in counties Down, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Wexford before arriving back to Poolbeg in Dublin on the 7th of August. Over €2,000 has been raised so far, all of which goes towards plans to build 200 houses this year in Haiti, with 300 volunteers taking part in Haven’s housebuilding programme called ‘Build it Week’ this October. Haven has been involved in Haiti since 2009 and has been involved in emergency response since January this year when a massive earthquake struck the country. Their main work in the area focuses on shelter and sanitation where they have built nearly 300 homes along with playgrounds, school classrooms, basketball courts and latrines.