Puppy Nollaig will give the gift of independence

 Oliver Lynch from Ballincollig pictured with two week old puppy 'Nollaig' who he named for the 'Dogs for the Disabled' group in Cork recently. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Lockdown fundraising hero Oliver Lynch hopes the puppy he has just named for an assistance dog charity will give the gift of independence to another child next year.

Inspirational Oliver, aged eight, from Ballincollig in Cork, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and walked 100-metres a day with his walking frame from March to July, raising an incredible €37,000 for three charities that help him — Enable Ireland, Dogs for the Disabled, and the CUH Charity.