Tyrone girls' charity GAA challenge to include a stop in Tullamore
Later this month, Tori Crawford and Megan Skeffington from the Strabane Sigersons GAA Club in Tyrone will embark on a journey around all 32 counties in Ireland in a bid to kick a point at every GAA County ground.
Their 'Kicking for Autism' campaign seeks to raise much needed awareness around autism acceptance within the Gaelic Games.
Tori and Megan will begin the challenge on August 29, and are due to take to the pitch at Glenisk O'Connor Park, in Tullamore, on August 31
They were inspired to take action after Tori's little brother Daire, who is also involved with Strabane Sigersons, was diagnosed with autism. Following his diagnosis, Tori and her family were given comprehensive support from the autism team and charities.
Tori and her father Damien wanted to do an awareness event to raise money for Autism NI. Together with another friend and coach, Shea, they came up with the Kicking for Autism idea. Last year, Tori and Megan took on the challenge of kicking a point in every GAA Club in Tyrone in one day. The girls completed this task with distinction – raising much needed awareness for Autism and also raising £18,000 for Autism NI.
Tori’s dad, Damien Crawford, said that the awareness events and diagnosis figures are needed to remind us that we need to be mindful and inclusive: "Autism is not something you hear around sports clubs all that often. Particularly in our own club, we hold the GAA for All program for children who cannot, through an illness or disability or other reasons, partake in the mainstream sport.
"It is important for all children in our community, regardless of ability, to feel included in a club such as Strabane Sigersons GAA.
"In Northern Ireland, it is understood that 1 in 20 Children have a diagnosis of Autism. When you look at any medium sized sporting club, there are upwards of 200 children. That’s at least 10 children out of the 200 that are likely to have a form of autism diagnosis.
"Sports clubs need to be inclusive, and have the awareness, of autism. Autism isn’t visible which is why we all need the awareness and the capabilities to understand the child.
"We want to call on everyone, particularly local clubs and autistic groups to meet us at the stadium closest to you. Tori and Megan and the team will only be too happy to mingle and chat. This is a historic event so come and be a part of it!"
Tori and Megan will be at Glenisk O'Connor Park, in Tullamore, on August 31 at 6.10pm.
For more information on the event and to see the many celebrities and GAA Stars getting behind Tori and Megan, you can visit Kicking for Autism 32 on Facebook and Instagram.