‘JOHN’S JUMP’ FOR AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS IRELAND
On 27th May a number of CBS staff will be undertaking ‘John’s Jump’, a fundraising parachute jump for Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI). Those taking the leap are John White, an SNA in the school, along with PE and Geography teacher Cillian Bohane, and potentially they will be joined by a third member, Anthony Nash, ex-Cork hurling goalkeeper and a business and accounting teacher.
The three men - and The Avondhu is reliably informed that Mr Nash is ‘afraid to climb a step ladder’ - are undertaking a 13,000 foot parachute jump for AADI, after seeing the value that assistance dogs can bring to students. CBS has their very own assistance dog ‘April’, who John says is ‘a big hit in the school and is loved by all the students and teachers.
“I’ve been working with kids for 30 years, and I can see the huge difference that April has made, across all the school since she joined us a year and a half ago.”
Mr White is a Special Needs Assistant in the school, and works on a daily basis closely assisting children with autism, and supports autistic children in extra-curricular activities such as Scouting Ireland, and Park United, and has witnessed first hand the numerous positive impacts that April has had on the autistic children within CBS, as well as the school community as a whole. With this in mind, John is hopeful that other schools can experience this kind of support also.
While John is diligently fundraising for AADI with a suite of events across the town, he is also receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer. To this end, the school recently held a mammoth fundraising effort for the Irish Cancer Society, details of which are carried below.
For the AADI, numerous fundraising efforts are taking place throughout the town as well as the parachute jump. There will be a quiz night in The Hunter’s Rest on the evening of May 19th and a ‘Teachers vs Students’ match at Park Utd on May 10th. A BBQ is planned for Paul Roche’s Bar, and a major carwash by the Mitchelstown Fire Brigade on 13th May. Details for all these events will be finalised and updated in The Avondhu and online.
All funds raised will go towards the costly training of the dogs, which will be much appreciated. Sponsorship cards and donation buckets will be available in the locality, including in Jackie O’Brien’s Bar and in Kent’s Shoes/2Shoes on Upper Cork Street, both in Mitchelstown. Donations can also be made directly to John White by Revolut, on 0879010411. Please mark any donations ‘AADI’.
CBS FUNDRAISING
A very successful ‘Shave or Dye’ and Coffee Morning fundraiser was held last Wednesday by the CBS student council, in which they raised over €8,700 raised for the Irish Cancer Society. For this, John White extended a huge thank you for everyone who donated, and to all the businesses including barbers and hairdressers that got involved for the big effort.
The school reported that the greater Mitchelstown community come together with CBS Secondary School “to experience the major fundraiser of the year: a Coffee Morning and ‘Shave or Dye’ in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, and more particularly, research in all areas of oncology.”
The brainchild of the Student Council, they worked with their liaison teacher Ms Michelle O’Keeffe and put this event into action straight after the Christmas holidays in solidarity with “the very well known and highly regarded Mr John White.”
“John is currently receiving treatment for an oesophageal cancer and it was this harsh reality that rallied the school into action. John has been the backbone of the school for many years and has never once faltered in his support and exceptional hard work in the school, ensuring the students have the best school experience possible. Whether it was taking the time to talk to each lad as he came into the school in the morning, or being a rock of guidance in the classroom, training the soccer teams, or being the resident photographer for the school. This is the school community’s small way of saying thank you, we’re with you, and we’re in this together.”
“In the run up to the event, the overwhelming community support can not be underestimated, and to end, the school would like to extend their gratitude to the following people: to Sinead Cahill and Declan Masterson who were instrumental in the organisation and running of the day; to every single person locally who donated for the raffle, and who bought tickets; to John’s sister Pidgie and the entire White family who were actively involved in all aspects of the day; to Kathleen Kinsella, who both procured raffle prizes and sold many, many tickets; to the Parents’ Council, and the many other volunteers, who baked and gave their time to help out for the coffee morning”
“To the staff: management, teachers, SNAs, office and ancillary staff who were involved in many aspects of the day; to the amazing local hairdressers and barbers who dyed and shaved over 70 heads; to SNAs Rose and Aislinn for the impromptu waxing on the day; to the school’s amazing student body who not only raised money and gave in abundance, but also who were so impeccable in their behaviour during the event, proving themselves an absolute credit to the school; to the school band, and their mentor Mr Daly, who provided entertainment for the coffee morning; to ‘ The Bear from Kenmare’ who provided great entertainment during the ‘Shave Or Dye’; to the Student Council who came up with the idea and did so much work in the organising; to the fabulous MCs for the event, Cillian, Colin and James; to the students who, in their droves, volunteered to shave or dye their hair; to John’s wife, Ms Vera White who ran a concurrent coffee morning in our neighbouring CBS Primary School.”
“However, most importantly, the school would like to extend the deepest gratitude to their colleague and friend John White. Not only was this event in solidarity with John and his current oesophageal cancer diagnosis, as aforementioned, but it was also the result of John’s hard work. During Easter, when everyone else was off, it was John, the Student Council liaison teacher was on the phone to, who was organising and arranging behind the scenes. The day honestly wouldn’t have happened without him and to say it was successful would be an understatement.”
“The atmosphere last Wednesday was electric, bringing the CBS’ wider school community together in solidarity, unity and fraternity. As Mike, from Stack the Barber said ‘ only a legend like John White could bring everyone together to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society, and the school could not agree more.”
FUNDS RAISED NEAR €9,000
With over 50 sponsorship cards yet to come in, as of Wednesday this week the Student Council have already counted over €8,700 raised.
“This is a phenomenal amount of money, and the counting has not finished yet! The school would again like to thank absolutely every single person involved in this hugely successful event. It will be one the whole school will always remember, and one that will, through the funds raised, aid in the research of a disease that has affected all communities in this country. Just as Helen Keller said that ‘alone we can do so little, together we can do so much’, so too can the CBS Secondary School in Mitchelstown, take solace in what exactly they can do when they work together for a common good.”