Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford

 

Thank you

 A huge thank you to all the cyclist who took part in the Sean Kelly Tour and raised over €20,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland.  Thank you also to all the volunteers that helped out, without whom the event would not be possible.  All your hard work, training and effort is very much appreciated.

Pictured above are members of Down Syndrome Ireland Waterford branch being presented with the sponsorship cheque.

 

The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford

Down Syndrome Ireland are delighted to be selected as the chosen charity for the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 2011.

The date for the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 2011, part of the An Post Cycle Series, has been set as Saturday 27th August (Kelly Ten Family Fun Cycle) and Sunday 28th August for the 50k, 90k and 160k events.

We encourage all our supporters to consider taking part or volunteer to help out with the event. On line Entry is now open.  Please visit the Sean Kelly Tour website to sign up for the event. If you are already signed up for this event and would like to receive a Sponsorship Pack to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland, please click here

 

Why support Down Syndrome Ireland in this event?

Down Syndrome Ireland is the national organisation of people with Down Syndrome and their families with over 3,000 member families and 25 voluntary branches nationwide. 

We are dedicated to being the primary source of support and information to people with Down syndrome, their families and the professional community, working towards an improved quality of life along with a respect and acceptance of people with Down syndrome as valued members of Society.  Down Syndrome Ireland provide a wide range of supports and services to people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals that assist them, from support services in the early days for new parents; through to early development; educational support; health advice; projects to develop independence; advocacy; and social activities, at both national and local level.

Down Syndrome Ireland is almost fully reliant on donations and fundraising to support our work, so every penny really will make a difference.  Funds raised from th Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford will benefit both Down Syndrome Ireland members locally in Waterford and across the country.

 

Activities in Waterford that will be aided by the sponsorship raised include:

DSI Waterford Branch - Parent Support Network: 

• Parentlink - Hospital visit for new families by a trained facilitator (parent)
• Regular branch meetings
• Guest Speakers on relevant topics
• Providing the second Arch Club bus
• In partnership with Waterford City Council we are currently organising to have a stock of books, DVDs, and computer software about Down Syndrome, Education, Health and Advocacy available for our use in Waterford City Library. We will be producing a catalogue of this collection, and this will be made available to all the members of the branch. 

DSI Waterford Branch - Members Activities:

• Swimming Lessons - currently our swimmers range in age from 4 to 13 yrs
• Music Therapy - we have two groups babies through to 4 yrs, and 5 yrs and over
• Cycling Lessons- open to all - currently aged 6 yrs to 17 yrs
• Golf - we have approximately 7 members learning from First Tee of Ireland.
• Multi activity classes - We work closely with the SIDO, Waterford City Council in identifying and setting up sporting activities which would be of interest to our members.
• Cookery classes - for teenagers and adults
• Computer classes - for teenagers an adults
• Literacy classes - for members who have finished school
• Social occasions - for all members grouped according to age
• Traces Dance Ensemble took part in You(th) Share 2011 Dance Festival
• Summer Days Out
• Christmas Parties
• Chillax - social gatherings for teenagers and adults
• Yoga - facilitated by a Therapist qualified in Paediatric Yoga for people with disabilities
• Personal Development Course for ages 11+
• Website - In the process of setting up a branch website which will be maintained by our DS members.
• Additional Support  - Although the above activities are organised through the branch, our members take part in a wide range of activities, which are extremely beneficial to them eg private speech therapy, horse riding, soccer, dancing, drama, arts and crafts classes.   In this case we have set up a scheme where families can get some financial support from the branch for these activities.

DSI Waterford Branch - Siblings:

We recognise that siblings play an important part in the growth and development of our DS members. Equally we strive to support siblings as and when required.  Siblings take part in many of our activities including:

• Christmas parties
• Family days out
• Golf
• Music Therapy, and
• Multi Activity classes.