Mini raffle in aid of autism unit

Every cloud has a silver lining. In this case the cancellation of Saint Fursey’s school annual cake sale and fair at Saint Fursey’s Church set in train the organising of a mini raffle for the Féileacain autism unit.

The cake sale was held before Christmas without interruption for many years until Covid cast it’s evil spell and made it a casualty like so many events and severely curtailed life as we have so long known it.

However, in stepped the Féileacain unit teacher Mary Brennan and her two assistants Anne and Mona with the idea of a raffle to raise funds for play equipment. The unit provides accommodation for six pupils offering facilities and learning tailored to their needs to enable them fulfil their potential

The unit whose name in English is Butterfly – a creature which evolves from a caterpillar into a beautiful insect and takes flight, opened in September 2018 at the start of the new school year. It was officially opened prior to the next summer holidays.

Principal Orla Vallely was effusive in her praise of the three members of the unit – Mary is also Deputy Principal, and of the generous response and support for the raffle.

‘It was amazing. Mary, Anne and Mona did all the work. They took on everything and brought it all together. Loads of people gave donations from the community and people from the wider community. It ended up raising €2,000 which was enough to buy and order a climbing frame and swings for the unit’s little playground.

Orla explained that the three staff members of the unit made up amazing hampers from the donations the school received. She personally never ceases to be amazed by the generosity and support of people and businesses for the cause.

The draw was conducted in her office and transmitted to the classes via Zoom, with Lorcan from the unit pulling out the tickets.