On September 9th last Enable Ireland held their 5km corporate challenge in St. Ann’s Park in Raheny. Companies, clubs, organizations and friends got together in teams of three or four and walked, jogged, and ran to raise much-needed funds for people with disabilities.

Funds raised by the challenge went directly towards Enable Irelands East Region in their work for children and young adults with physical disabilities.

Enable Ireland currently provide a wide range of services including physiotherapy, speech therapy, pre-school and primary education, they also provide respite services and parent and family support groups. From this event the East Region Fundraising Office expects to raise in excess of €15,000, as the sponsorship money is still rolling in.

Companies that took part in this event include Microsoft, Barclays Bank, AXA Insurance, Aer Lingus, Hibernian Life, Bank of Ireland, Air Canada to name but a few.

This year Enable Ireland replaced their Yellow Ribbon emblem with a button badge, which went on sale nationwide from 20th to the 26th of September for their action week on disability. The theme this year was support for families.

Enable Ireland has been assisting the families of thousands of children and adults with physical conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and development delay.

Caitlin Hazell, East Region Fundraising Co-ordinator said: “This new campaign was an exciting development for everyone involved including staff, parents and service users.”
Last year Ireland had the great honour of hosting the Special Olympics. It was a wonderful experience that left us in no doubt that Irish hospitality and generosity is very much alive. It also gave us an insight into how much people with physical and learning difficulties can achieve.

Coming up on the 20th and 21st of November, Enable Ireland is holding an Art Exhibition and Auction in the Sandymount Centre.

Artists from all over Ireland are being invited to bring works along for sale and 25% of the sale price will be donated to Enable Ireland, together with the proceeds of the Auction. All are welcome.

More information on the work of Enable Ireland can be found on their website: enableireland.ie.

Above: Fun with Pat Shortt and friends for Enable Ireland.