Funds drive for Down Syndrome therapists
Details of the fund-raisers were announced at a special function at the Silver Springs Moran Hotel at the weekend which was attended by celebrity chef Rachel Allen.
The same hotel will be the venue for the charity’s inaugural gala ball which will take place on Saturday, October 30.
Down Syndrome Ireland Cork branch chairman Ray O’Callaghan said the monster ball would be the biggest social event of the season.
“We hope to raise funds enabling us to continue to grow our speech therapy service. Once children with Down Syndrome hit the school-going age speech therapy from the state is very limited. Hence we need to keep our service going.
“We also want to look at occupational therapy in the near future,” he said.
The event, he said, will highlight the lack of state funding the charity receives.
“It will also be a night of celebration for many of our volunteers who work tirelessly for our children,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
A table for 10 people costs €1,000, but tickets can be purchased individually for €100.
The charity’s subsidised speech and language therapy is currently helping more than 100 Down Syndrome children in Cork city and county.
The Cork branch has also recently employed an operations manager to oversee the work of the organisation and to streamline the services.
Following on last year’s success, the charity is also planning to run a major bazaar at the SMA Hall in Wilton on Sunday, November 21.
lMore info on DSI Cork is at www.dsicork.org.
