YOUNG CHILDREN at a school in Cork city could barely contain their excitement yesterday when a British Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter touched down with its crew as part of a special treat organised by local gardaí.
The rescue helicopter circled and touched down on the school grounds at St Mary's on the Hill in Knocknaheeny on the north side of the city at 11am yesterday. The Sea King 771 and its crew are in Cork for the weekend for a series of exercises with Irish emergency services.
However, local Garda Supt Con Cadogan pulled a few strings to organise a trip to the school so that the crew could meet the local children. Four hundred children from 24 classes at the school were given the opportunity to board the helicopter before the crew went on to answer questions in the school hall.
School principal Kevin O'Callaghan described the visit as a "fabulous occasion" for his pupils. "It is a great tribute to all the people who organised it. It brings a huge day of excitement to an area that sometimes gets bad press. Today is a day it gets huge press and shows how exciting an area it can be."
St Mary's on the Hill has entered the Better Ireland Awards and it is hoping yesterday's event will win it extra support.
The Better Ireland Awards gives out a bursary of €10,000 to help those who work with children and young people.
The Sea King 771 helicopter, based in Cornwall, has a crew of 13 under the command of Lieut Commander CA Godwin. It is tasked primarily with military and civilian search off the south coast.
Following their visit to St Mary's School crew members visited the children's ward at Cork University Hospital.