Borrisokane Gospel Choir Event
On Friday 13th of April the Borrisokane Gospel choir held a fund raising quiz in aid of Mirmeara Autism Class, Kildangan N.S., Puckane and the Nenagh Special Needs Activity fund. The quiz was generously hosted by Tess Burkes pub in Borrisokane. The night was a great success with over 2,000 euro raised and many participants winning some fantastic prizes generously donated by locals.On behalf on Mirmeara and the Gospel Choir we would like to thank all the businesses in Borrisokane, Cloughjordan and Nenagh who so kindly donated for raffle and spot prizes and to all the parents and individuals who sent in prizes, your generosity is greatly appreciated. We would like to also thank all the people who came on the night to support the quiz, Siobhan Clarke who was the host, the Gospel Choir committee for organising the event, the helpful and welcoming staff of Tess Burkes and the Borrisokane Gospel choir for providing entertainment on the night.
Money raised on the night will go towards providing weekly swimming and horseriding for pupils in Mirmeara and children attending Nenagh Special Needs Activities.
The Nenagh Special Needs Activity Fund was set up to part fund the weekly activities attended by many children with special needs from in and around Nenagh. The activities include horse-riding at McDonnell’s Riding School in Ballintoher, swimming in the Nenagh Swimming pool and play sessions at Jump n Gyms. There is also a blessing once a term at St.Mary’s of the Rosary after swimming for children and adults with disabilities, friends and family are also welcome please contact Joan or Paulene for dates and times. Library story-telling sessions are also held at the start and end of the year and all are welcome to attend, please contact Avril about dates for these. All these activities would not be possible without the help of the many volunteers and groups involved such as Riding for the Disabled, transition year students, Enable Ireland, school staff and independent volunteers.
Groups from Mírmeara(Specail Class for Autism), Aoibhneas(Special Class for Autsim) and children with Enable Ireland come to these activities. It is an invaluable service which allows children, parents and care staff access activities which have numerous benefits for them. The sessions are private which is of huge benefit as this helps children to learn at their own pace and have fun at the same time in a safe environment. The children are learning new skills such as horse-riding, swimming, social skills, play skills etc which all contribute to the child’s overall development. Many of the children attending these sessions have had huge success in over-coming fear and gaining independence in areas such as self-help skills/dressing/showering etc. Many children with sensory related difficulties get great feedback from these activities and also the opportunity to socialise with other children with special needs.
There are currently up to 25 pupils availing of this service and with fundraising we hope to continue to provide this service to those pupils and more. The money which we fundraise or receive in donations goes directly towards fees for horse-riding, pool rental fees and specialised equipment for the pool(floatation devices, physio/occupational therapy equipment) and fees for Jump n Gyms. This service caters for a spectrum of special needs and a huge catchment area. If you would like further information on how to become a volunteer at horse-riding or swimming every week or on fundraising please contact Joan Dunne on 086-8604687 or Avril Mounsey on 087 7412725. Your help and generosity is always appreciated.
