Offaly School of Special Education launches fundraising drive

Offaly’s only dedicated special school has formed a committee to fundraise for the provision of recreational resources and activities for students.

At present Offaly School of Special Education school is in a temporary building which lacks many of the basic resources and facilities that purpose-built special schools have. The only current option to provide the pupils with much-needed recreational activities is to travel outside of the school grounds, which is very costly because the school doesn’t have its own transport.

A Black Tie Ball will be held by Offaly School of Special Education next month to help raise much needed funds to assist the school.

As head of the committee, local man Michael Kidney said: “There’s a reason this school is called special, because that’s exactly what these kids are.

“These kids not only deserve to be able to go swimming, horse-riding, just like their peers, they need to be able to. The benefits of these activities are immeasurable. Having equal access to sports and recreational resources can enhance their motor skills, social and communicating abilities, as well as improve their overall health and well-being. Like all children, those with special needs will mature physically, socially and emotionally when participating regularly in recreational activity.”

Michael explained that while the school is funded by the Department of Education, the financial implication of providing recreational activities in the special school is exacerbated by their current situation and the requirement for accessible buses and the necessity for specialised equipment such as hoists often resulting in them having to travel outside of their immediate locality to suitable facilities, all at an additional cost. In addition to therapeutic recreational play activities, the children also require services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology and these are all seriously underfunded at present.

Michael concluded: “This is why we want to raise as much money as possible so that the school can increase the frequency and variety of therapies that they can offer these very special children.”

Forty-two pupils from across Offaly and its borders are catered for at the school in Tullamore. They are between the ages of four and eighteen years of age and all have a diagnosis of severe or profound intellectual disability or, autism spectrum disorder combined with an intellectual disability. The majority are non-verbal and many also have physical disabilities.

A Black-Tie Ball will be held in The Tullamore Court Hotel on Friday, April 21. Tickets cost €100 each.

The event promises to be a spectacular night beginning with a drink’s reception on arrival at 7pm followed by a delicious gourmet meal at 7.45pm and ending on a high note, with music by 'The Secrets' plus a few surprises in between.

To purchase tickets for the Black Tie Ball contact Michael Kidney on 086 8068515, Stephen Callan on 083 3611695 or Ger Kidney on 086 8137618. Email enquiries to OSSEBall2023@gmail.com.

In addition to the option of purchasing tickets, there are several tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities available which the school is happy to discuss with interested parties. Both monetary sponsorship and prizes for their auction and raffle would be greatly appreciated.

The school has also set up an iDonate account for anyone who wishes to support the event with a donation on idonate.ie.

All proceeds will go towards funding recreational resources and activities at Offaly School of Special Education.

The school is a co-educational - multi-denominational - primary and post primary setting, and students attending the school travel from all over the county of Offaly and its border areas.

The school's philosophy is to promote the highest possible achievement of each child by establishing the foundations for lifelong learning and providing an environment where pupils can grow in knowledge and understanding. However, it is increasingly challenging to deliver this philosophy in their current situation.