IRELAND:CHINESE GROUPS in Ireland are hoping to raise "a minimum" of €100,000 for victims of the Sichuan province earthquake during a new national appeal.
Thirteen Chinese associations have set up two bank accounts for public donations and plan a fundraising campaign to help alleviate suffering in Sichuan - including the hosting of a contemporary Irish art auction in early June.
They said indirect contact has been made with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) requesting the observation of one minute's silence at Saturday night's soccer match between the Republic and Serbia at Croke Park to remember those who died both in China and Burma following the two recent natural disasters.
However, a spokesman for the FAI said he was not aware of any such approach being made.
Dr Katherine Chan Mullen of the Irish Chinese Sichuan Earthquake Appeal Committee said many of the 300 Chinese restaurants, fast food and other businesses in Dublin have been collecting money for the people of Sichuan and have placed commemorative candles in their premises.
Yesterday organisers called on the public to support its candlelit vigil in Dublin's Smithfield at 7.30pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, donations can be made via two Sichuan earthquake appeal funds: Bank of Ireland (St Stephen's Green) account number 90 382144, sort code 90 00 84 or AIB (Stillorgan), account number 302120 98, sort code 93 35 70.