JANE Adams has never been afraid of a challenge – and the former Antrim camogie ace is relishing being part of a team again ahead of a charity mission to Kenya next month.
Fifty GAA stars from all corners of Ireland, covering all codes, will travel to east Africa from November 19-27 after joining forces with Warriors for Humanity, Self Help Africa and the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) for the ‘Plant for the Planet Games’.
The brainchild of former Galway dual player and Warriors for Humanity founder Alan Kerins, the aim to highlight the impact of climate change and raise sufficient funds to plant one million trees in Africa.
Adams will be joined by fellow Ulster GAA figures such as Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor Meyler, Antrim hurlers Neil McManus and Paddy Burke, Saffron goalkeeper Chris Kerr, Cavan’s Conor Moynagh, former Donegal captain Kevin Cassidy and ex-Down stalwart Kevin McKernan.
As part of the trip, the players will take to the field for a challenge match at Nairobi Rugby Club - the first time an inter-county game will be played in Kenya – as well as participating in a series of cultural events to highlight the work being done by charities such as Self Help Africa and Brighter Communities Worldwide in the country.
Each player participating in the games has committed to raising €10,000, though Adams is already closing in on the €12,000 mark with the aim of boosting that tally by the time she boards the plane to Kenya.
“This is the kind of thing I’ve always wanted to do, so when Neil McManus mentioned about it back in January, I was really keen to come onboard and help in any way I could,” she said.
“Alan Kerins been going since 2008, doing brilliant work, and it was his vision to bring over a kind of Allstar team. Covid held that up for a few years but now, at last, it is being realised.
“We’re going to be meeting with the Kenyan Olympic team in Nairobi, playing two games – football and hurling, male and female - so we’ll have all our gear, which has been kindly sponsored by McKeever Sports.
“The project itself - planting one million trees to help restore and rehabilitate the land, provide food and shelter for communities – has no much potential, and will do so much good.
“Everybody involved is trying to raise as much as possible, because once you get into something like this, you want to push it as much as you can. From my own perspective, it might be the only chance I get to do something like this, so you want to make the absolute best of it.”
And, having grown up immersed in the GAA before a career that brought glory in club and county colours with O’Donovan Rossa and Antrim, the west Belfast woman sees the ‘Plant for the Planet Games’ as a welcome extension of the Association’s ethos on foreign shores.
“That’s why we have all bought into it,” she says.
“And while we’re all individuals, I love being part of a team. With this, you’re going into communities who don’t have as much as you do, who don’t have the things you maybe take for granted.
“I know it’s very difficult for a lot of people here at the minute as well but, from my own point of view, sometimes you can forget how lucky you are. With a project like this, you’re leaving a legacy for everybody in these communities.
“As GAA players, we have a platform of some description and if you have any kind of platform - no matter how big or how small - to do any bit of good, then you should use it.
“The amount of people who have contributed so far has been amazing, and we’re all so grateful. Everybody has been brilliant.”
The effort that has gone into drawing down support from national and local businesses, as well as individuals across the country, has struck a chord with Kerins too.
“It is incredible to have 50 warriors for humanity signed up, each one committing to raise funds in support of what is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime - that of climate change,” he said.
“This campaign, from which some of the world’s most vulnerable communities will benefit, will leave a lasting legacy in more ways than one, improving quality of living both in the present day and for future generations.
“This will also be the first time inter-county players will take to the field against one another on Kenyan soil, and we are hopeful that, along with the funds raised, this significant milestone will leave a lasting and positive impression on Kenya’s communities.
“As it has in many countries around the world, Gaelic Games has an ability to bring communities together for a greater good and we are sure this campaign will be no different.”
Those sentiments were echoed by GPA CEO Tom Parsons, with the former Mayo footballer detailing the importance of empowering players “to realise the bigger picture beyond sport”.
“Not only will the campaign allow the players to come together and experience something entirely different, but in doing so they will be able to leverage their influence off the field of play in support of the planet and some of the world’s most challenged communities.
“All of the players travelling are known for the impact they have on the field of play, representing their clubs and counties with distinction. The fundraising target for each of the players is significant and we are very grateful to all of those who have or might be able to support.”
To find out more about Warriors for Humanity, visit www.warriorsforhumanity.org, while donations can be made at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/JaneAdams
