Kilkenny’s Kirsten Mate Maher heading on charity mission for Chernobyl victims this weekend

Kilkenny woman and 2018 Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher is heading to Belarus this weekend.

It’s part of an awareness mission for the Chernobyl Children International charity.

The 21-year-old has said she’s hoping to use her platform to raise awareness of the cross-generational effects of the Chernobyl disaster.

The volunteer link-up between the charity and the Rose of Tralee International Festival has seen Rose Volunteers travel to Belarus twice a year since 2011 to spend a week working in Vesnova Children’s Mental Institution.