Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., Chair of Fine Gael Education & Skills Committee and Member of Health & Children Oireachtas Committee, launched the new Children’s Hope website on November 12^th 2014 at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).

The new website was developed by lecturers and students of IADT in conjunction with Children’s Hope and features new Children’s Hope characters developed by Alan Nolan.

The website (www.childrenshope.ie) features a series of projects which will enable teachers and community leaders to engage with children of all abilities in project work associated with the school curriculum. The projects include science, history, biodiversity and the arts. This teaching resource will be updated and expanded on a regular basis.

The launch of the new website is a culmination of over fifteen years of Children’s Hope experience in the development of educational projects. These projects were developed and implemented in partnership with local, national and international organisations such as Foras na Gaeilge, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the Local Enterprise Board and the VEC.

Speaking at the launch event, Alison McNamara, Founder of Children’s Hope, had this to say, ”Children’s Hope has come a long way over the past fifteen years thanks to our old friends. Now our new characters Pixie, Alec, Tom and Holly with all their new friends, will ensure that the education and fun of Children’s Hope will continue.”

The launch event at IADT, Holy Child Killiney Secondary School provided an exhibition of artwork while the school choir sang a selection of songs to attendees.