This article is from page 10 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
AN AMERICAN couple whose newborn son passed away at the Cliffs of Moher in 2006 are aiming to raise money for new emergency medical services at one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations.
According to TJ Waters, Chairman of the Ennis Sister Cities Board, the Stokes family are looking at the possibility of providing funds for a form of emergency vehicle to transport injured people from the Cliffs.
Kelly and Delia Garcia-Stokes’ newborn baby, Nicolas, passed away at the Cliffs in July 2006 after Delia went into premature labour.
Delia gave birth in a room at the Cliffs but sadly Nicolas died before the family could reach a hospital.
The Stokes family part funded a first aid facility at the Cliffs known as Nicolas’ Room, named in honour of their son.
In 2009 Councilman Claude Mattox of Phoenix City Council in Arizona, presented a cheque for $25,000 to the then Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy, as a donation to first aid services and facilities at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.
Phoenix, which is twinned with Clare’s county town Ennis, is home to the Stokes family. Earlier this year the couple visited the Cliffs to make a donation of $25,000 as part of their ongoing commitment to medical facilities at the centre.
First aid treatment and assistance to over 200 visitors has been provided from “Nicolas’ Room” since the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre opened to the public.
24 staff at the tourist centre have received advanced first aid training and the room is equipped to the level of a cardiac ambulance.
In addition, thousands of visitors have benefited from the wheelchair loan service, which is also operated from the room.
Ennis is twinned with Phoenix and, according to Mr Waters, the funding of new medical services at the Cliffs would be “very worthwhile, particularly at a time when funding is so tight”.
Mr Waters said the family are also keen to initiate an exchange programme between members of the emergency services attached to Clare County Council and their colleagues in Phoenix. He added, “That is something that might help in the future.”