Going Down
Going Down
Going Down

Going Down

Ali Hewson and fifty student gardai are abseiling down Ireland's tallest building today. They're raising funds to create 'Homes of Hope' for children whose lives have been devastated by the Chernobyl disaster of 23 years ago.

30 May 2009
Ali Hewson and fifty student gardai are abseiling down Ireland's tallest building today. They're raising funds to create 'Homes of Hope' for children whose lives continue to be devastated by the Chernobyl disaster of 23 years ago.

The abseilers will be coming down the Elysian in Cork, which stands at eighty three metres and 17 storeys high. Ali, a Board member of Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI), which the band have supported for many years, explained how the idea came about.

'Student Gardai organised this abseil to raise funds so that Olya and Kristina who came to Ireland unable to walk, can return to Belarus and walk into a real home - a 'Home of Hope. If a lot of people can give a little it can mean so much'.

Olya and Kristina, two brave young girls from the heart of the zone affected by the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986, have been in Ireland for critical surgery. Both girls have spent their young lives living in an orphanage, but the student gardai want children like Olya and Kristina to have a 'Home of Hope' of their own.

Going Down

Each 'Home of Hope' is a foster-type home for up to 10 children. To date, CCPI has purchased 23 Homes of Hope to give children, who were previously abandoned into state orphanages and institutions in Belarus, the shelter and comfort of their own home.

'Chernobyl Children's Project International develops sustainable community-based solutions and provides medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims and survivors of Chernobyl.' Read more here and donate online here.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Carnaval De Luz Indie Record Store Edition
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

Limited Edition Third Man Records Yellow Vinyl of New Album Arrives November 13 at Independent Record Stores

30 SEP 2026
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4770 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

Related Topic

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.