2015 gaa charities announced

 

Representatives of all five charities were in Croke Park this week to meet with Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy.

 

The chosen charities for the year ahead are: Diabetes Ireland, White Ribbon Ireland, Special Olympics Ireland, The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre and the Maria Goretti Foundation.

 

The Association at national level will make a financial contribution to all five organisations and also explore ways to raise the profile of their respective activities over the course of the summer.

 

GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce these five most worthy organisations as our official charities for 2015. This alliance is tacit recognition of the excellent work they carry out on behalf of thousands people all year around. We are delighted to endorse and support that work.”

 

Director General Páraic Ó Dufaigh added: “Cumann Lúthchleas Gael has always been more than just about our games and every year we purposely choose five charities in an effort to concentrate our efforts in supporting charitable work such as that undertaken by these five wonderful organisations.

 

“We look forward to working with them and wish them well in their work.”

 

 

 

Diabetes Ireland

 

Since 1967, Diabetes Ireland has been the national charity dedicated to helping people with diabetes. They achieve this by providing support, education and motivation to everyone affected by diabetes. Diabetes Ireland also raises public awareness of diabetes and funds research into finding a cure for diabetes

 

There are over 225,000 people in Ireland with diabetes. Through over 150 local free public meetings / events / screenings / education courses per year Diabetes Ireland supports these people on all aspects of their diabetes management and educate the wider community. The charity has regional offices in Cork and Sligo and over 20 local branches / support groups nationwide. In 2014 Diabetes Ireland opened a first not-for-profit Diabetes Care Centre, located in Santry Dublin, which saw over 7,400 patients across its key services in its first 12 months of operation.

 

Living with diabetes is not easy. However, with the right help, advice and support, there is no reason why Irish people with diabetes cannot live life to the full. This is our goal and each year through our patient education and information services we provide that support to thousands of Irish people with diabetes and their families when needed most.

 

 

 

White Ribbon Ireland

 

 

 

White Ribbon Ireland is a non-profit organisation and primary prevention campaign to end men’s violence against women.

 

Through ongoing primary prevention initiatives and an annual campaign, White Ribbon Ireland seeks to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate men’s violence against women, by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

 

The White Ribbon Campaign is about recognising the positive role that men play in preventing violence against women. It fosters and encourages male leadership in the prevention of violence against women, based on the understanding that most men are not violent.

 

The Campaign is a means for men to speak out against violence against women, and to safely and effectively challenge the attitudes and behaviours of a minority of men who use or condone violence against women.

 

White Ribbon Ireland believes in the capacity of the individual to change and to encourage change in others. Our generation can and must work towards stopping violence against women so that all women can live in safety, free from violence and abuse.

 

The prevention of violence against women will change society for the better.

 

 

Special Olympics Ireland

 

Special Olympics Ireland is a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability, but it provides athletes with far more than the physical benefits of sport. Special Olympics changes lives. Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally, they make new friends, realise their dreams, and know they can fit in. Special Olympics Ireland enables athletes to achieve and win not only in sport but in life too.

 

Special Olympics Ireland has 9161 registered athletes participating in 13 sports in 370 clubs around Ireland.

 

 

The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre

 

Cuisle Cancer Support Centre is a local charity in County Laois that provides a warm, safe and welcoming environment for people diagnosed with cancer and their families affected by it.

 

The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre was founded in 2004 and offers professional support through counselling, relaxation therapies and workshops helping people through their cancer journey. It also supports children and their families who have been diagnosed with cancer.

 

Its aim is to reduce the distressing impact cancer can have. It offers practical and emotional support. A care programme is adopted for each individual’s needs. All these services are free of charge.

 

It get referrals from cancer care consultants, local doctors, nurses, schools and self-referrals. Its door is open to everyone who has been affected by cancer for help, support and information.

 

Last year alone we had 315 new people who attended our centre along with 3110 availing of all these services throughout the year.

 

It is totally funded by local fundraising, donations and charity events. We are a standalone non-profit charity who do not receive funding from the HSE or any other government body. It has have a voluntary board of trustees who govern the overall operations of the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre.

 

 

The Maria Goretti Foundation

 

The Maria Goretti Children’s Respite Centre is based in Co Louth. Founded by the Late John Hanlon, a local business man, blessed with the foresight to realise that there was no overnight respite care available for children with special needs in the area. Before he passed away, he left provision for a Respite Centre to be built.

 

His family have nurtured and carried his dream to fruition, and it was with much pride that the Respite Centre was officially opened in February 2014.

 

At present 50 families benefit from two night breaks every six weeks. The Maria Goretti Foundation is responsible for the building and equipping of the centre. Plans are afoot to develop a sensory garden. The Foundation also hopes to secure enough finance to increase the present facility of four beds, four nights per week, to six beds, six nights per week.

 

Nestled in peace and tranquillity, the Centre rests on the shores of the Cooley peninsula, sheltered by high mountains, with sweeping views right down to the sea. A perfect setting for those who need solace and understanding in their young lives. Warm, welcoming, and colourful, each child receives a high level of care. When they arrive, their photo is already on the door of their room, their favourite toys laid out, and a poster of their favourite sports or pop star is hung on their wall. Children from 6 to 18 years who have autism, a physical, sensory, or a learning disability all find understanding in this special ‘home from home’ centre where priority is given to learning opportunities as well as having fun.