THE Friends of Moscow have just launched a charity ball in aid of Russian orphanages, at the Radisson SAS Hotel on the Ennis Road, on Saturday, January 27.

All proceeds are to benefit Orphanage 24 in Moscow, which helps children with disabilities, and the Yalta Orphanage, in the Ukraine.

Tickets cost 80 euro and the evening includes a four course gala dinner, dancing and a charity auction hosted by Limerick comedian Jon Kenny, who has offered his services.

The Friends of Moscow was set up in 2006 to create an opportunity for people whose lives, in one form or another, have been influenced by living and working in Russia over the last 20 years, to meet and catch up with friends both old and new.

In the 1990's, a group of men and women joined together with the Irish Embassy in Moscow to do some charity work. And over the years, the group have raised over $100,000 to support the management of this orphanage, thus enabling them to carry out much needed renovation and installations.

The highlight of the charity year was always the Emerald Ball.