65 Roses + 1, Christmas Charity Cards launced for The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland

15 October 2010

The winners of a children's art competition entitled "65 Roses & Christmas" were announced today 15th of October at the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland headquarters, by the current Rose of Tralee, Clare Kambamettu.

Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis throughout the world sometimes say "65 Roses" because of the challenge of pronouncing "Cystic Fibrosis" at a young age.The "65 Roses" theme of the art competition captured the imagination of children and teenagers with Cystic Fibrosis all over Ireland, resulting in a difficult task for the judging panel who had tough decisions to make when deciding who would be the eventual winners!

Finally, ten designs were chosen and the children were delighted to learn that each design has been made into an individual Christmas card which can be purchased online at www.cfireland.ie or by contacting 01 4932433.

The overall winner was Aoife O Donnell aged 10 from Dublin who presented the Rose of Tralee, Clare Kambamettu, with a giant version of her Christmas car, sweetly depicting two reindeer, one presenting the other with their "65th" rose. Other winners in the 4-7 category were Marco Lucchese, Cork, Neasa Menihane,Cork and Emily Woodward, Dublin. The following category was for 8-12 year olds and the winning designs were Sophie Walsh, Dublin, Mary Hennessy, Limerick and Chlionadh King, Clare. The final category was for the 13 to 15 year olds and the winners were Adam Dwane, Cork, Elena Coughlan, Meath and Roisin McGannon from Dublin.

CEO of the CFAI Philip Watt praised the efforts of all children involved. He said "We had some very good news this week when the contract for the new CF Unit in St Vincent's University Hospital was signed. However much more needs to be done and CFAI must raise € 4.1m for vital CF services over the next two years, Anyone who buys a Christmas Card from CFAI will be contributing towards a better CF services  for those who have CF"

The winning artworks are available to purchase on the CFAI online shop www.cfireland.ie or by calling 01 4932433