Christopher Biggins and students from Alexandra College launch HOPE Carnival 2015 /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

The Hope Foundation is a charity that is very close to my heart for many reasons, the main one being that I have seen first hand the life saving work they undertake on behalf of poor kids in Kolkata, its suburbs and hinterland.

Maureen Forrest, its founder and director works tirelessly and selflessy to raise funds to help the kids who are oftentimes orphans, addicts and worse - many of whom have nothing but The Hope Foundation to give them a chance at living some semblance of a normal life. 

I have worked with this foundation over the last number of years in a Press & PR capacity and I am extremely proud to do so. We shot the photos in Alexandra College, Milltown and had patron and thespian Christopher Biggins mix and chat to the college students who were of course delighted to see him. 

Please see below for more details regarding the upcoming carnival and drop in to say hello, buy a cake or browse the bric a brac stall. 

Hope Carnival 2015 Press Release

British actor and television presenter, Christopher Biggins joined students from Alexandra College, Dublin to launch the first HOPE Summer Carnival and Market taking place between 2-6pm on Sunday, 14 June. 

Taking place in the Green Door Market, New Market, Dublin 8, carnival goers will be entertained by fairground games such as hood-a-duck, coconut shy and ring toss, along with a selection of ‘pre-loved’ clothes stalls, homemade cakes and treats and hidden gems in the bric a brac section. Entry to the HOPE Carnival is free and all proceeds from the afternoon go to the Hope Foundation’s (HOPE) work with street and slum children in Kolkata.

Speaking about the Carnival, HOPE Parton, Christopher Biggins stated, ‘'It's my pleasure to launch the HOPE Carnival for the Hope Foundation. I have been involved with HOPE for many years and have seen how they change the lives of the street and slum children in Kolkata through their education projects and child protection homes. The HOPE Carnival will be a day of celebrations with market stalls and carnival games to keep all ages entertained for the afternoon and all money raised will go towards helping HOPE continue their good work.’

The Hope Foundation (HOPE) is an Irish charity supporting overseas development and tackling humanitarian issues in India. If you would like to volunteer with the event team on the day or help with facepainting please contact Jayann@hopefoundation.ie or call 01 871 6930.

About The Hope Foundation

HOPE is an Irish charity supporting overseas development and tackling humanitarian issues in Kolkata, India. Over 250,000 children are forced to exist on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata (Calcutta). The Hope Foundation (HOPE) was established in Ireland by Irish humanitarian Maureen Forrest in 1999 to help these children.

Sixteen years on HOPE now provide support to over 60 projects including education, primary healthcare, child protection, children’s shelters, vocational training and drugs rehabilitation. With offices in Cork, Dublin, UK, Germany and India, HOPE also works with 14 local Indian NGOs to rescue thousands of children from the streets and slums of Kolkata.

The Hope Foundation is a registered Irish charity (CHY 13237) and is governed by the Dóchas Code of Corporate Governance. The HOPE Honorary Director, Maureen Forrest, does not take a salary. 

For more information see www.hopefoundation.ie and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HopeFoundationIreland and Twitter @HopeFoundation

Lucas and Ida's Wedding /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

It has taken me a while to update my blog having migrated to my current Squarespace platform so I will be updating more often to keep up to date as I have missed blogging of late.

One of my more memorable weddings last year was Lucas and Ida's - a wonderful couple who were married in The Anglers Rest which is located along the beautiful Strawberry Beds in Chapelizod. I lived a stones throw from here for a good number of years and was well able to advise regarding the best location for some relaxed photos - where else but the Pheonix Park.

The couple decided to do things a little differently pre ceremony; they had a little picnic in the park which was simply inspired - coupled with the weather being as good as you will get in May. Following this, a civil ceremony which was set in the upstairs room of the Anglers Rest followed by a delicate and delicious meal presented by the extra helpful staff and management at the venue. 

Have a look at their day below and you will see the smiles, the laughter and the odd tear as they celebrated their day with not just each other but those that meant much to them. As weddings go this one was a real pleasure to photograph and it is the reason why I do what I do.

List of suppliers:

Wedding Journal Show, Citywest, Dublin, 10th & 11th January 2015 /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

Here are a few of our postcards we exhibited at the recent Wedding Journal Show in Citywest, 10th and 11th January 2015. We had the privilege of photographing the event for Penton Publications along with manning a busy stand which was thoroughly enjoyable. We slept three days later when all images were handed over.

The postcards went down a storm, they were something different and the general feedback was extremely  positive from couples. They commented on the quality of the imagery along with the fact that it provided a talking point, particularly as I used famous photographer quotes from such as Ansel Adams, Tim Walker, Alfred Eisenstaedt amongst many more. 

The purpose of the postcards was trifold:

1) to show some beautiful imagery across the photographic sphere of weddings 

2) to enable me to take down details from couples who had not booked a photographer 

3) to meet at some date in the future over a coffee (on me...) to discuss each wedding 

What a show, what quality suppliers and what a weekend!. Well done to all who exhibited...