Picture/IWA: Nicola McDonnell from IWA Drogheda encourages everyone to support IWA’s Annual Fundraising Day on Thursday, September 24th. Collectors will be out across Louth on the day.
The Irish Wheelchair Association is encouraging people across Louth to support its Annual Fundraising Day on Thursday, 24th September, with collectors due to take to the streets around the county.
The national fundraiser supports IWA services for people with physical disabilities, including community services, assisted living, transport, sport and advocacy.
The organisation says it has a strong presence in Louth, with services in Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee.
IWA’s Annual Fundraising Day is its biggest fundraiser of the year, with hundreds of volunteers expected to collect around the country.
Services across County Louth
In Drogheda, IWA operates services including the Boyne Centre, which supports young adults through its Life Skills Service as well as providing a Senior Community Service.
A separate premises in Dyer Street provides the Feabhsu Higher Support Service.
In Dundalk, IWA operates from the Exchange Building on Long Walk, providing high support services for young adults as well as Community Information and Supports.
An Ardan, a Life Skills Service, also operates from the Exchange Building.
The organisation also has a community centre in John Street Business Park in Ardee, along with an IWA charity shop in the town.
IWA’s national directory confirms services in Drogheda and Ardee, as well as North East Thunder Wheelchair Basketball Club in the wider region.
According to the organisation, more than 120 people receive Community Services supports each day through IWA in County Louth.
‘An important event’
Nicola McDonnell of IWA Drogheda said the fundraising day plays an important role in supporting local services.
“Annual Fundraising Day is an important event, helping to raise money to ensure that IWA can continue to provide supports to members.”
Dylan McKenna attends IWA’s Life Skills programme in Drogheda and said he enjoys the social and learning side of the service.
“I love coming into the centre, having the chats with everyone and trying out new things,” he said.
Reuban Odunwo, who is part of IWA in Dundalk, said:
“Thank to all in IWA for treating me like a grown up while teaching me new stuff. Having fun and laughing and smiling with me. I love going to work every day, my world is a happy place, and the IWA is a huge part of that.”
€40,000 fundraising target
IWA hopes to raise €40,000 through this year’s Annual Fundraising Day to support its work locally and nationally.
The organisation says that last year it provided 87,080 days of community services through 48 community centres and 17 outreach centres around the country.
It also delivered assisted living services, supported 19 IWA Sports Clubs and operated a fleet of 142 accessible buses.
IWA says donations help it continue providing services and supporting members to live independently and take part in community life.
The organisation states that fundraising is an important part of bridging the gap in State funding for its services. Its website says it must raise €3 million annually to help continue its work.
Collectors out across Louth
Ferelith Kingston, Community Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator with IWA, encouraged people to support collectors on the day.
“If you see us out collecting, please come and say hello,” she said.
“Selected Aldi stores across the country will have on-street collections on the day. We appreciate any donation, big or small and if you can’t give on the day, you can donate any time on www.iwa.ie/donate.”
The Annual Fundraising Day takes place on Thursday, 24th September
