Tyrone firm and GAA star join campaign to plant trees in Kenya

ONE of Tyrone’s All Ireland winning footballers will travel to Africa next year on a mission to combat climate change.

Conor Meyler is being supported by Cookstown design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe, who are the official sponsors of Tyrone GAA, for the ‘Plant the Planet Games’ a charity led campaign to plant one million trees in Kenya.

The Tyrone star will join 50 other GAA players from across Ireland taking part in the games, which are a partnership between Warriors for Humanity, Self Help Africa and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

McAleer & Rushe say their sponsorship will help to tackle the global climate crisis by planting 25,000 trees in Africa which will offset up to 625 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year and provide a vital source of food, income and shelter for thousands of families.

The trees will also help improve and rehabilitate degraded soil and land.

Conor Meyler and the group and will travel to Kenya in mid-November to work with communities, visit cultural and climate related projects and take part in an exhibition GAA match at Nairobi rugby club.

“I’m very grateful for the incredible support provided by county sponsor McAleer & Rushe as we embark to fundraise sufficient funds to plant one million trees in Africa. The work undertaken by Self Help Africa and Warriors for Humanity is empowering local communities in Africa and helping to improve the livelihoods for so many families,” said Conor.

“At the core of Gaelic Games is the bringing together of communities and this campaign will be no different and I’m looking forward to joining my fellow GAA players across all codes in Kenya.”

Shane McCullagh, who is the contracts director of McAleer & Rushe said they were proud to support the campaign.

“Its mission to leave a massive collective legacy on the planet, is one which McAleer & Rushe are fully committed to as part of our Climate Pledge,” said Shane.

“The impact and influence that GAA stars like Conor will have through ‘Plant the Planet Games’, cannot be underestimated, by giving their time and helping to drive the fund raising required for this life changing initiative and we would like to commend Conor and everyone involved for their vision, commitment and dedication.”

Conor and the rest of the participating players will travel to Kenya on Saturday, November 19, returning on Sunday, November 27.