Foundation’s ‘Flowers of Hope’ growing strong across Cork
COPE Foundation has just launched its flagship fundraising campaign that encourages people across County Cork to plant Flowers of Hope seeds to help children and adults with an intellectual disability or autism to grow, blossom and fulfil their own unique potential.
Jonathan Healy, Presenter with Newstalk and Red FM, got stuck in to some planting with Blarney two- year old Ciara-Jane O’Sullivan (who is supported by Cope Foundation) to launch the Flowers of Hope campaign at Cope Foundation’s Beech Hill Garden Centre in Montenotte, Cork.
The campaign will raise funds for programmes that help children and adults with intellectual disabilities or autism - and their families - to communicate. Currently, Cope Foundation provides services and supports to 2,350 children and adults across its 69 locations in Cork city and county.
The Flowers of Hope campaign has a long-standing history in Cork and, through the years, volunteers have visited homes, distributing the envelopes with the Flowers of Hope seeds in lieu of donations.
This year, the campaign is blossoming somewhat with the introduction of Flowers of Hope boxes – which are displayed in various retail outlets, garden centres, credit unions etc. throughout Cork city and county. People are welcome to take a gift of an envelope with the seeds from the box and make a donation either online or by post.
“Flowers of Hope has always been special to me because as a child I used go from door to door with my mother collecting for Cope Foundation and then waiting and waiting for the flowers to grow!” Jonathan recalled.
“What’s great about this year’s campaign is that people will be able to pick up their envelopes in locations across Cork and simply post their donation back to Cope Foundation.
“Every cent raised goes to help kids like Ciara-Jane, who is a wonderful bundle of energy finding her way in life. It was brilliant to see her communicate using Lámh sign language, which is one of the programmes supported by this campaign. So if you see an envelope, don’t pass it by. Pick it up, plant the seeds and post it back,” he added.
Ciara-Jane has Down syndrome and since she was a baby she and her family have received various supports through Cope Foundation’s Early Intervention services.
For the first time ever, she is now able to communicate with her family using Lámh sign language which she and her mom are learning at Cope Foundation. Ciara-Jane’s grandparents are even learning the signs with her and it’s fantastic to see her developing in this way. Funds raised from Flowers of Hope this year will help more families and children like Ciara-Jane to communicate.