Louth IWA volunteers to take to streets for annual fundraising day

Irish Wheelchair Association's (IWA)Annual Fundraising Day is taking place across Ireland next Thursday, September 24th, including Louth.

Members, staff and volunteers will be hitting the streets collecting funds for the supports and activities IWA provides in Louth and across the country.

IWA has a strong presence in Louth with four centres, two in Drogheda, one in Dundalk and one in Ardee. The services vary from location to location. In Drogheda, Boyne Centre has the Life skills Service for young adults as well as the Senior Community Service while the premises in Dyer Street has the Feabhsu Higher Support Service.

The Dundalk Service, based in the Exchange Building, Long Walk has two services also, providing high support services for young adults and Community Information and Supports. Meanwhile, An Ardan, which is a Lifeskills Service, operates on the 2nd floor of the Exchange Building.

The Ardee Service is an IWA Community Centre, which is based in John St. Business Park Ardee. IWA also has a charity shop in Ardee.

Over 120 people are provided with Community Services Supports daily from the IWA in Co. Louth. This wouldn't be possible without the support of the IWA staff who make the Services what they are.

Nicola McDonnell of Drogheda IWA said: "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 enjoys learning new skills. “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 says: “Thanks 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.”

IWA hopes to raise €40,000 to support the organisation’s work locally and across the country. Last year the organisation provided 87,080 days of community services through its 48 community centres and 17 outreach centres nationwide.

The organisation also delivered assisted living services in homes nationwide and supported 19 IWA Sports Clubs, including North East Thunder Wheelchair Basketball Club in Louth, while its 142 accessible buses supported with IWA-transport services.

IWA’s work nationwide is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in communities to live a life of choice and independence. The organisation relies on donations to develop, grow and continue to support its members who want to be active, social, independent and advocate for their rights.

“If you see us out collecting, please come and say hello,” said Ferelith Kingston, Community Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator with IWA.

“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.”