TWO IRISH STUDENTS who were left stranded in Dubai during a charity challenge are finally one step closer to getting home thanks to two Irish food producers.
UCD students Elizabeth Curran and Roisin Oates made it all the way to the United Arab Emirates during the Jailbreak challenge, which saw students trying to get as far away from Ireland as possible – with no money – in 36 hours.
This year’s winning team finished up in Sydney, some 17,223km from home.
Curran and Oates blagged flights from Dublin to Munich, where they raised enough cash in Irish bars to fund flights to Istanbul. An Irishman in the Turkish capital then transferred air miles in order to get the pair to Dubai.
The pair have been stranded in the UAE since Monday, but luckily enough two Irish food producers just so happened to be in the area this week.
Crisp and potato producer Keogh’s Farm, and Broderick’s Brothers – the makers of homemade cakes and chocolates – are both currently in Dubai showcasing at the annual Gulfood 2014 trade fair.
The girls approached them and asked for their help, which both companies happily provided on one condition. Keogh’s Farm and Broderick’s will pay for the girl’s flights home TONIGHT provided they pitch in at the trade fair all day today.
Tom Keogh of Keogh’s Farm said:
We can’t believe the girls set out from Dublin only a few days ago and have managed to end up here at the Gulfood 2014 Trade Fair in Dubai without any prior planning. With our limited edition Keogh’s Shamrock and Sour Cream crisps about to launch for St. Patrick’s Day, the girls reminded us of the luck of the Irish! Myself and Bernard just couldn’t ignore what an amazing achievement it is for the girls and their charities and are thrilled that Elizabeth and Roisin approached us and told us their story.
“To hear the girls are fans of our potatoes and crisps is even better so of course we wanted to reward their efforts and offer them the opportunity to earn a flight home”, he added.
Curran and Oates aren’t the only ones in need of a lift home though.
Jailbreakers are still filtering back to the island from Europe and beyond. They’ve been campaigning for help to get home on both Twitter and Facebook.
