An Irish charity worker who has helped victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will be presented with an award in the Kremlin this week by Russian president Vladamir Putin.
Fiona Corcoran, founder the Greater Chernobyl Cause, will receive the Order of Friendship by Mr Putin for her "outstanding humanitarian work in Russia".
The disaster happened in April 1986. The Greater Chernobyl Cause, based in Cork, was originally established to deal with the impact of the nuclear explosion at the plant in the Ukraine, part of the former USSR at the time.
The charity has since broadened its mission to try to "transform the lives of abandoned children and ease the suffering of the old and infirm in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia".
Ms Corcoran, from Fountainstown, Co Cork, is the first Irish person to receive the Order of Friendship, which is awarded to Russian and foreign nationals for special merit in broad charitable activities.
"I was quite surprised when I was informed of the award by the Russian ambassador to Ireland, Maxim Peshkov, but it is a great honour to be recognised in this way by the people of Russia, " said Ms Corcoran.
“I accept this award on behalf of all our supporters through Ireland. This award will help our work tremendously in Russia - hopefully, it will open more doors for us in Russia and allow the charity to increase the work we do.”
Ms Corcoran has already been honoured for her work with the Greater Chernobyl Cause in the Ukraine where she was awarded the Order of Princess Olga and she has also been decorated with a medal and diploma by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan
Supported by Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons, among others, the Greater Chernobyl Cause works on projects such as rebuilding orphanages and hospices, shipping humanitarian aid, organising food programmes and supplying medical equipment.
Ms Corcoran said the Greater Chernobyl Cause is currently facing a major funding challenge with donations suffering because of the re cession.
“We are now experiencing a funding crisis which is threatening the lives of elderly and dying patients to whom we have been bringing hope where there was once only despair,” said Ms Corcoran.
www.greaterchernobylcause.ie
