LWB Spain Wins TV "Lipdub" Contest!
LWB Spain was fortunate to get to the final round of a contest to win 10,000 Euro for the charity. This stage involved making a "lipdub" (synchronized lip singing) to the song "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. My daughter Robyn and I, being the mad things we are, flew from Dublin to join in and had an absolutely fantastic time in Irun, Spain. Jone Gereka, in particular, was ASTOUNDING - organizing the complete production with only ten days' notice!
We awoke at 6 a.m. and arrived at the Piazza by 8:20 a.m., all piling into the local coffee shop to gather thoughts, laugh, and eat Spanish omelettes. It was FREEZING cold, but as we peeped out the window we could see the square fill with the most amazing people - ALL gathered round to help LWB Spain win this contest for children in China born with cleft lip and palate. It was truly heart-warming. I tried to snap some photos, but never the best with a camera, I fell short of capturing all the colour and wonder of that day. Let me try to think... Red noses, people in traditional Basque costumes, old world priests, nurses, aunties and babies, painters, motor bikers, dancers, Spanish dancers, traditional instrument players, old and young, adoptive families, canoeists, ballerinas, traditional theatre actors, newspaper readers, grannies with strollers... the list is endless!!! They ALL had a moment to "do their bit" and sing the words out! It was such an uplifting experience to meet our Spanish volunteers and to talk and laugh together. What a small world when we all have a common bond! The finished lipdub went out live on January 3rd, part of a two hour television special where five charities competed for that valued first prize. Jone, family, and friends were all there. LWB got a full ten minutes of air time, featuring the cleft homes, adoption, and even showing a few clips of other volunteers from around the globe who also got into the swing with a bar or two of the song. Tension mounted as the SMS voting time finished and all waited to see the outcome. Yes!! Smiles and shouts of joy rang out as LWB Spain was declared the winner, making possible new smiles for the children with cleft when they receive their surgeries. Thank you for the efforts of the many, many who came out on that cold, sunny day in Irun, Spain! Julie Flynn Coleman Healing Homes Director Sadly, just hours after the contest, Jone's father passed away unexpectedly. In his honor, LWB has named the newest resident of ACHH after him. Donations for baby Jos� may be made in honor of Jos� Goreka by clicking here. |