Laois community raise funds for autism centre in local school

The Woodenbridge Paddlers presented St Fergal's College Rathdowney with a cheque on Saturday.

On Saturday September 14, the Woodenbridge Paddlers made a presentation of a cheque for €3,000 to St. Fergal's Rathdowney.

This money was raised through a "paddle challenge" fundraiser, in aid of the new centre for autism in the school. The cheque was accepted by incoming principal of the school Ms Carole Devine and teacher Paul O'Dea.

"The organisers would like to thank all who took part and supported this fundraising event and also wish the staff of the school well in their efforts to provide the college with such a fantastic facility," said founding member of the Woodenbridge Paddlers, Michael Phelan.

The paddle challenge also marked 25 years of organised paddling by the Woodenbridge Paddlers during which their members and friends took part in many other fundraising events.

Following the presentation on Saturday evening, celebrations of the past quarter of a century of paddling continued at Tuohy's Bar in Rathdowney.

Pictured: The cheque presentation from the Woodenbridge Paddlers to St. Fergal's College, Rathdowney.

The Woodenbridge Paddlers undertook a 'Paddle Challenge' to raise funds towards the building of a new autism unit in St. Fergal's College, Rathdowney. The kayaking group challenged themselves to paddle from under the M8 Motorway Bridge at Boston to New York (14km away).

"The fundraiser was a huge success," said group member Michael G. Phelan.

"We had over 23 paddlers who took part, and a huge turnout from those who wanted to watch and follow our journey from bridge to bridge.

"There were a couple of kids and young teenagers who took part too, which was great," he said.

"We took off around 1pm and finished up around 6pm. We finished on the New York rapids, which gave everyone a bit of a thrill," Mr Phelan said.

25 years ago, the Woodenbridge Paddlers were formed, after a journey from the Woodenbridge to John's Bridge in Kilkenny.

"Normally we do something for a local charity, we've raised money for the Cuisle centre in the past," said Mr Phelan.

"We heard that St Fergal's College are working towards a new autism unit and it's an important cause to us."

"Vice Principal Carol Devine and teacher Paul O'Dea of St. Fergal's followed us along from bridge to bridge, it was very nice of them to have come out and supported us," said Mr Phelan.

"Mick Dooley is always very good to us, he is very accommodating in letting us through his land."