History

Aidlink is a Dublin based non-denominational Third World Development Organisation providing over €2,500,000 per annum through strategic partners to projects in our priority countries of Kenya, Ghana and Uganda.

Aidlink was founded in 1982 with the limited objective of financially supporting the social and economic development work of the Spiritan (Holy Ghost) Missionaries in the Third World. Since then it has broadened its remit significantly.

The founders, who met in Blackrock College, were Fr Norman Fitzgerald CSSp, Mr Raymond Kennedy and Mr Hugh Macklin.

At the behest of the Spiritan missionaries themselves Aidlink soon began funding development projects run by other organisations.

Aidlink was operated solely by volunteers for its first 14 years of existence. Major achievements were recorded during that period including the establishment of many of the present partnerships. One such is the St Patrick's Day badge Campaign, an initiative run by the transition year students in Blackrock College. The campaign now also receives the support of other schools and in addition is actively supported by Independent Newspapers. The proceeds of the badge campaign are divided equally between Aidlink and GOAL.

In 1997 a full time Executive Director was appointed and Aidlink moved to offices in Rathmines.

In 2003 Fr Norman Fitzgerald, CSSp, was appointed by the Board to the position of Honorary President of Aidlink while Mr. Raymond Kennedy, Mr. Hugh Macklin and Mr. John O' Loughlin Kennedy were appointed Honorary Vice Presidents in recognition of their outstanding work for the organisation during its 21 years existence. In 2009 Mr. Philip Owende and Ms. Mary Scully were nominated to the board and Aidlink moved to its new office in HaroldÕs Cross.