Neil's braving the Swilly in 'Dip for Autism'

A Derry daddy is currently undertaking a month-long fundraiser for the learning support unit of St Eugene’s Primary School and the Jigsaw Project in the city.

Neil Doherty is doing a cold water dip every day in April to raise much needed funds for the two organisations, which have helped his daughters Clodagh (5) and Claragh (8).

Neil has also set up the GoFundMe page ‘Cold water dip for Autism’ with the aim of raising £1,000 for the two “amazing” groups by April 30. Thanks to the generosity of the Derry community, he is more than three quarters of the way to reaching his total.

Speaking to Derry Now, Neil said he was going to be dipping in the sea at beaches all around nearby Inishowen, including Ned’s Point, Ludden Beach and Inch Island.

Neil with daughters Clodagh and Claragh.

He added: “Both of my daughters, Claragh and Clodagh, have received an Autism diagnosis. I am doing the ‘Cold water dip for Autism’ to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children and adults with a diagnosis. I also want to raise funds for the Jigsaw Project and the learning support unit in St Eugene’s Primary School.

“The Jigsaw Project is the weekly club run by Sonya Blakley in the Waterside Youth Club on Glendermott Road. It offers invaluable support for families with kids on the Autism spectrum. Jigsaw organises activities, day trips and courses for parents.

It also caters for siblings. The learning support unit at St Eugene’s is able to meet Clodagh’s sensory needs and has been a life saver for us. It allows Clodagh the opportunity to get back into education in a safe, nurturing environment, which suits her needs.Without this unit, Clodagh would have missed out on her education.

“Through the ‘Cold water dip for Autism’, I want to raise much needed funds for both groups so that families like ours can avail of much needed support,” said Neil.

Neil’s wife, Karinne, explained that Clodagh, who will be six years old in May, had previously been in a number of school settings.

Karinne said: “Clodagh struggled to go into mainstream school. She lost all of her hair at the thought of going to school. We had to home school her for about a year and a half. And then St Eugene’s opened its learning support unit and it literally saved her life.

“We had no life with Clodagh not going to school. She refused to leave the house for about a year or two. Now, she absolutely loves going to the learning support unit in St Eugene’s. It is brilliant.

“We went through a struggle with Clodagh. In the end we got her into St Eugene’s, at a time when we had no hope. Because of that, we want to give back a bit of hope to families out there. I know there are parents struggling every day with children who have a diagnosis of Autism, especially getting them to school.

“But, I never thought this time last year that Clodagh would have been in a school setting and a year on she is thriving and doing so well. Both St Eugene’s and the Jigsaw Project have done so much for us as a family. Clodagh’s teacher, Miss Canavan has been a massive support to us since Clodagh started there,” said Karinne.

Claragh’s teacher, Mr McKenna, is also going to be taking part in the ‘Cold water dip for Autism’ on the last day. Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Gary Donnelly, will also be joining Neil for a dip, somewhere in the Swilly.