Dogs night to raise funds

A FOUNDATION that provides a wide range of services for 280 children and adults with special needs on both sides of the Cork-Limerick border will go to the dogs in Cork on Thursday night to raise funds.

St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville has raised over €420,000 from an annual greyhound benefit meeting at Curraheen Park since 1988.

Proceeds went towards building the Comhar Centre in Charleville for several years. For the past six years, the funds have paid running costs of the centre, which provides respite care for children with special needs.

Greyhound Benefit Night Organising Group chairperson Lucy Murphy said while successive Governments have recognised the necessity of respite care for these children and their families, funding is still dependent on subscriptions.

Last year, over €50,000 was raised from the greyhound meeting, and this year the organisers, with Maura Twomey as secretary, are hoping for equally strong support for the 10-race card.

Foundation chairman Dr Martin O’Donnell said the overall philosophy and aim is that people with a learning disability would be helped to live in their own community with their families, or where necessary, in a home provided by the foundation, availing of the services that it provides.

Dr O’Donnell said future plans include the building of a €1.9 million swimming-therapy pool.