This article is from page 26 of the 2005-11-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
THE Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) are encouraging people to be an Angel and buy an Angel this Oi tahsaenrty
The (IWA) has just launched its annual fundraising Angel pin cam- paign that is aimed at enhancing the lives of 20,000 [WA service us- ers. The aim is to encourage people to buy the pins which cost just €2 each. A nationwide campaign was launched in Dublin on November 15, and the mulinational staff from the Ennis branch will be out on the streets throughout Christmas urg- ing people to get involved in this worthy cause.
The fundraiser is a vital event for the Ennis branch of the IWA who have been helping to provide opp- portunities and avenues for people with disabilities to become more actively involved in the workforce along with participating more in the social aspects of their community. The resource centre in Hermitage Ennis is open four days a week and caters for up to 60 people with physical and sensory disabilities while there is also a simillar centre in Spanish Point which is open for one day during the week.
They offer a variety of different services for people with disability
including art and drama classes while also hosting workshops in computer and IT skills and provid- ing a door to door bus service. A personal assistant service is also available for people who might have difficulty getting around their homes. The IWA work in conjunc- tion with FAS and on Monday last 15 participants in the Ennis Pre- Employment Course graduated at a ceremony held in the Temple- Gate Hotel in Ennis. According to Colin McGrath, assistant living Service co-ordinator in Ennis, the Angel campaign is vital in ensur- ing the organization can continue to provide much needed services and hopes that this year’s fund- raising efforts can match last year efforts which saw the branch raise a OROL Oe?
“It’s massively important and it has been great so far this year, our staff have been out county wide from Kilrush to Killaloe.
“Without this sort of fundrais- ing we wouldn’t be able to provide fully wheelchair accessible buses or start new projects.”
Molly Buckley, CEO of IWA, said: “we are delighted to launch six Angel pins. Now it’s just down to the public to act like angels and show their generosity of spirit and pocket.”