Enniscorthy community shows its support for Antonio
PEOPLE throughout the Enniscorthy area gathered together last week to support a local man who is affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
Antonio Iannetta has lived in Enniscorty all his life and is very well known in the local community.
In 2017, he was diagnosed with MS. Unfortunately, his illness is progressive and two years ago the HSE gave him a mobility scooter, which became his only form of mobility, to ensure his independence.
Unfortunately, last year the scooter stopped working and the HSE informed Antonio that funds are not available for a replacement one.
However, such is the respect for Antonio within the local community that a number of fundraising events and initiatives have been organised to help him deal with his illness.
A friend of his has set up a GoFundMe campaign through which he hopes to raise enough money for Antonio to get his replacement mobility scooter, which he hopes to purchase himself.
As part of the ongoing fundraising campaign in support of Antonio, the event was organised last week in the Enniscorthy VTOS centre where Antonio is very well known and respected.
The fundraiser was based around a bric-a-brac sale and raffle and was organised by the students in VTOS, with support from the management and teaching staff.
The organisers of the event were very grateful of the support from members of the public and they thanked everyone who participated in the fundraiser or supported it in any way.
Antonio himself was also very appreciative of the work and commitment by the students and staff in VTOS in their efforts to support him.
In the wake of a recent fundraiser, Antonio told this newspaper that he gets great comfort from the support he receives from the public and it gives him hope.
The GoFundMe page that was set up by his friend is available to support on an ongoing basis and is accessible through www.gofundme.com/f/antonio039-mobility-scooter-fund.
All support from members of the public will be very much appreciated by Antonio and his family.