See Ireland and Liverpool legends Jason McAteer and John Aldridge in Mayo
The Down Syndrome Ireland Mayo Branch and its sister project, Down Syndrome Ireland West Regional Centre, are holding a large fundraising event in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Friday, April 29.
On the night, former Ireland and Liverpool legends John Aldridge and Jason McAteer will be chatting about their careers at Liverpool FC and their adventures with Ireland and the great Jack Charlton.
Along with some photo opportunities, there will be an exciting auction with certified Liverpool memorabilia, a raffle and music after.
This promises to be a fantastic evening, all while raising crucial funds for both charities dedicated to children and adults with Down Syndrome, their families and their support groups such as educational courses for teachers, SNAs and others.
This event has been organised by James Carty, a big Liverpool fan and also daddy to beautiful little Iris who was born with Down Syndrome. Iris has made a huge impact on their family and as she is approaching her first birthday, James wanted to do something for the Down Syndrome community – and that is how this fundraiser came about.
Joining his grá for Liverpool Football Club and his devotion to his inspirational medical miracle, beautiful Iris, James came up with the fundraising idea.
James is no stranger to fundraising for the people in his life and has organised or taken part in a number of charity events over the years.
Ciara, his wife, along with children Ivy and Emlyn, are helping James promote the event, and of course they all follow in daddy's footsteps supporting Liverpool!
Iris is the grand-daughter of the late TD and senator John Carty from Knock.
Welcoming the fundraiser, Deirdre O'Malley, chairperson of Down Syndrome Ireland Mayo Branch and committee member of DSI West Regional Centre, commented: “We are delighted to be hosting this event along with James and Ciara Carty. This is going to a fantastic event for all Liverpool fans and football fans to get an opportunity to meet John Aldridge and Jason McAteer in Ballina.
“The support for this fundraiser has been superb from local businesses, communities across Mayo, and the local councillors and TDs.
“We hope to raise vital funds for both our members and our new DSI West Regional Centre in Swinford, and I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their time and work they have completed in both groups, DSM and DSI West.
“We have grown from strength to strength each year and this year promises to our most exceptional yet, with the new centre opening for all of our children in Mayo and surrounding counties.”
Down Syndrome Ireland Mayo Branch has over 140 members with Down Syndrome ranging from babies to adults. The group provides support for members and their families through social activities, educational courses, subsidised therapies, ParentLink (a private and confidential service with two trained volunteers supporting families), advocacy and lots more.
Currently under construction and opening at the end of the year, the Down Syndrome Ireland West Regional Centre in Swinford will cater for members of all ages and their families/guardians. Open to over 300 children and adults with Down Syndrome in the west of Ireland, it will offer subsidised speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, access to a psychotherapist, support for parents/guardians, and the latest educational courses with the most modern facilities.
Alongside this centre catered for the specific needs of people with Down Syndrome there will be an all-accessible playground, the first of its kind outside of Dublin, open to all people with disabilities, a place where every child can play with friends and/or siblings and have fun no matter what disability they may have. This centre is a vital support network in the west of Ireland.