Saddle up for Saint Francis’ Special School

AT SAINT Francis’ Special School in Beaufort, the ethos isn’t about putting a child into school; it’s about building a school around the needs of the children they serve.

And there’s no doubt the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has played its part in helping the school do just that – and will do so, once again, in 2020.

The hugely successful cycle returns on July 4, and St Francis’ school will once again be among the main beneficiaries, along with five other charities.

The school, which this week celebrated its selection as a main beneficiary, is located on the St Mary of the Angels campus and provides educational services for children from age four to late teens. But doing so takes time, effort, and funding, and Principal Liam Twomey is delighted that the cycle will once again row in behind their work.

“We benefited in 2012 and 2016, and the significant support we got in 2016 helped us to complete a purpose-built building for our students,” he told The Kerryman. “In fact, we have a plaque on the wall, dedicated to those who supported us.

“This year, our motto is ‘Cycle for us; we need a bus’. We need one because it would help us bring our students to social settings such as a coffee shop, restaurant, supermarket, the park, or so on.

“That’s important because it builds up the students’ social skills and independence. You can set up a social situation in the school, but there’s a real world out there that they need to get familiar with too.”

Liam explained that what they need is a ‘good-sized’ bus that’s accessible and suited to the needs of the school’s 50 students. It’s all part of the incremental progress the school makes year by year, Liam added.

To sign up for the Ring of Kerry Cycle or obtain more information, you can register online at www.ringofkerrycycle.ie and support one of the six main beneficiaries.

The cycle itself is 175km and is limited to 6,500 participants. This will be the 37 th year of the ‘Ring of Kerry’ and registration costs €100 plus fees.

The event has raised almost €17m for good causes since its inception in the 1980s.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Cyclists from Killarney Paddy and Patricia O’Donoghe, Patricia Lynch, Maurice O’Donoghue and Denis Geaney, who will be cycling for St Francis Special School in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2020 pictured with Fiona Carroll SNA, Raushaw Addul Aziz, PJ Lawless and Principal Liam Twomey at St Francis Special School.