Debbie has been working tirelessly in Russia since 1998 with the orphaned and abandoned children of the Bryansk Region and more recently with children in Kaluga, Tula and Moscow Region. Debbie is also the Chairperson of the Russian registered charity To Children With Love in Russia. This is the sister charity of To Russia With Love that strives to raise funds in Russia itself.

What started off in 1998 as one woman’s promise to a child that she would come back to hug and kiss them has grown into a successful charity, doing life changing work with thousands of orphaned and abandoned children across the Russian Federation! Buildings have been rebuilt, care and education programmes developed, local Russian staff hired, most importantly, children supported, loved and guided through their most difficult years.

This work exposed her to the immense and considerable hospitality of the Russian people – she has built extraordinary relationships and made wonderful friends from every walk of life being as comfortable in the company of Governors and Ambassadors, as with the children she works with on her regular visits.

In 2014 Debbie opened the “With Love” Charity Shop, ( she maintains it is the nicest charity shop in Ireland by far) it was because of this and her other work raising awareness and fundraising that led to her awards last year Image Businesswoman of the Year for Social Entrepreneurship and also the WMB Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. Debbie has received many other awards and accolades over her years running the Charity , some of these include Irish Rehab International Person the Year award 2011, Unesco Tolerance award in 2012, Spirit of Ireland award 2006, Sunday Independent Woman of the Year award among others. Debbie says she is also “so honoured” to have awards from her supportive Russian Administration acknowledging her work over her past 18 years.

– UNESCO Tolerance Award Winner, Russia 2009

– Honorary Medal (First Degree) awarded by Russia’s Governor of Bryansk, 2010

– Honorary Medal (Second Degree) awarded by Russia’s Governor of Bryansk, 2008

– Honorary Medal (Third Degree) awarded by Russia’s Governor of Bryansk, 2006

However, by her own admission, her most precious awards are those given to her from the children over the years, her favourites include her “Smile ” award, her “Mama” award, her ” Best Friend to the Children” medal, and many others during her years in her beloved Russia.

Debbie is a mother of three wonderful children, her origins began in Management and Retail, she has gone on to do many courses relating to children’s issues such as Attachment issues, Fostering, etc. She has a diploma in child psychology, has studied Life Coaching and has taken many personal development courses during her years running the charity. She does not feel it is necessary to have letters after your name to make a huge difference in this world. Passion combined with hard work, is her personal motto. Her favouite mentors are Michael Ostenelli of the Pacific Institute and Neil O’Brien, Mentor and Lifecoach. Doctor Peter Hanlon is another Mentor she discusses the children’s issues with regularly, he has travelled with her extensively, he examined and Audited the benefits of the To Children With Love Beslan programme and has an indepth insight into abandoned and orphaned children’s lives. Joanna Fortune, Psychotherapist is another voice that Debbie listens to, Joanna and Debbie talk regularly about many of the children’s problems.

Debbie has many close friends and colleagues that she seeks advice from, from every level of society. She uses this fundraising and more importantly for the benefit of the children she works with. It becomes many of the threads in the wonderful tapestry of the charity, and in turn becomes part of the self esteem building programmes that To Children With Love implement daily . She has three gorgeous dogs and still manages to remain married to the same man after 29 years! He is the rock in her life, as is her Mom.

Fergal McGrath has the onerous task of minding our money and overseeing our books. Fergal has been a volunteer with us for 15 years and makes us follow all kinds of very strict rules, watching every penny we spend.

To be perfectly truthful Fergal did accept payment last year after 15 years of pro-bono work… I bought him a gift voucher for 3 pints of Guinness in The Sheds in Clontarf for New Year’s Eve!! There was a gift that he couldn’t refuse!

He has visited the orphanage many times, and knows many of the children very well. He is married to Patricia McGrath another wonderful thread in the TRWL tapestry from day one.

Trisha has been one of the main backbones of the charity since its conception, she travelled with Debbie on the first trip and has remained a part of the children’s lives to this day.  Some of the earliest children that Trish connected with, now have their own children, so Trish is now used to the idea that she has become a Russian granny on a few occasions!

Her endless interest, energy and wisdom have been a huge part of the success of all we do.  Trish is a physical trainer, a golfer, and a mother of 3. We could not manage without them both.

Based in Russia Igor Stepanov has been working by Debbie’s side for 18 years. Igor is a school teacher originally, he has since added a business degree to his list of talents. In Debbie’s own words, he is a control freak, which suits her perfectly as no stone is left unturned.

We have never had any operational issues, transport issues, group travel issues, etc in this time. Igor has a gift for organisation, he could run all operations for the United Nations, except he is too dedicated to all we do!

He is one of the best interpreters in Russia, and has the ability to be as comfortable in the orphanages with the children as he is in the company of Governors, heads of Departments, and the many important meetings Debbie attends on a regular basis. He is trustworthy, dedicated and a huge support to the organisation.

We are extremely lucky to have him.

Joanna Fortune is previous General Manager of To Children With Love. She is a clinical psychotherapist and Child Attachment Specialist with more than 12 years experience working with children, adolescents and families. Joanna founded Solamh Parent-Child Relationship Clinic in 2010 where she specialises in early years intervention and attachment therapy and provides training, supervision and a range of 1-day parent courses.

You can read more about Joanna and her work on www.solamh.com or www.joannafortune.com

Joanna says to work To Children With Love is not a job, it is a life style choice!! Even though Joanna no longer works for the charity, she advises Debbie and the team regularly on children’s issues and is always on call.