A Cork charity has gone viral thanks to their 'The Young Offenders' inspired promo video 'The Old Offenders' which is raising awareness for 'Straight Ahead Charity'.
Straight Ahead Charity was set up in 2011 and funds othopaedic operations for children who otherwise face long periods on waiting lists.
The video, which is promoting the charity as well as raising awareness for children currently on waiting lists in Ireland, was created to tell the public about the inaugural 'Cork Santa Cycle' which will be taking place on Sunday 5 December.
Combined figures for Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Temple St Children’s Hospital show more than 3,000 children are awaiting outpatient orthopaedic appointments, with 605 waiting more than a year.
Between the two hospitals, another 1,038 are awaiting inpatient procedures, of whom 236 are waiting more than 12 months. For some of these children, delayed surgery results in deformity and significant curvature of the spine.
The 7.5km cycle will be setting off from outside Goldberg's pub, and following a route passe Victoria, City Centre, UCC, Mercy Hospital before heading back to Goldberg's once more.
The video, which has had over 100,000 views, has proved immensely popular with both 96fm and RedFM sharing the short clip on their Facebook pages.
With props from Director, Writer and Producer of 'The Young Offenders' Peter Foott and starring Cork's Lord Mayor Des Cahill, the promo follows two kind-hearted middle-aged bright sparks who are looking to organise a charity cycle.
Humourous and for a good cause the video is well worth a watch.
Star of the video, Connie Wiseman, who features in a blue tracksuit, told Breakingnews.ie that since they released the video, “things had been a little out of control” with over 300 sign ups to the Cork Santa Cycle and a number of donations to the 'Straight Ahead Charity' including a €1,000 online donation from an anonymous charitable soul this morning.
“We will be closing the registration this evening as we are only taking another 50 sign ups, but we are delighted the video has taken off as we want to raise awareness of the charity and hopefully get more children off the waiting list.
“The money raised is going towards a paediatric ultrasound scanner for the children orthopaedics here in Cork.”
The charity needs €12,000 to buy the scanner and €10,000 of that has already been raised.
If you want to sign up for the Cork Santa Cycle, read all the rules and regulations here as well as the cost and link to sign up.
If you would like to donate to 'Straight Ahead Charity' click here.