Keith Shirley

I received a very nice thank you letter for helping out with the Special Olympics Fund-raising Event a few weeks ago. My part was so small I was both surprised and delighted to get it.

I thought I’d reproduce the info here – so you can see where your money is going.

“We had a good steady flow of visitors all day and the feedback from the event was how relaxed and enjoyable it was; the lovely atmosphere and how well co-ordinated it was. I am delighted to tell you we raised €3500 on the day.

Who the money goes to

Every Euro is lodged into our Special Olympics Co. Carlow account and monies will be passed on to the 4 Special Olympic Clubs in the county:

1. Delta Centre
2. BEAM
3. St Lazerians School
4. Carlow Special Olympics Club

What the money is for

It will assist with their travel expenses, kit, volunteers and reaching out to more people with intellectual disability including those who would love to be part of the games but haven’t the means.

”

So well done to all those organising the event. It was a fun and enjoyable day – and of course – well done for the funds raised.

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• Special Olympics Ireland – Fundraising (keithshirley.ie)

My wife, Sylvia Shirley, will be taking part in a Special Olympics Ireland fund-raising event this coming weekend. The Mind Body and Spirit fair will be taking place at The Dolmen Hotel Carlow – 1^st March 2009 12 – 5 pm

I see a hot towel shave listed…..I wonder will Sylvia allow me to grow a stubble to test how good it is. I have a special kind of beard that seems to defeat electric razors – so I’d love to see how good a job a real cut-throat does. In addition there are all sorts of people/activities such as:

• Beautician (Completely unbiased I can say Carlow’s Best Cosmetic and Wellness Atelier will be there)
• Health Food Suppliers
• Clearing and House Blessings
• Homeopathy Practitioners
• Animal Healers
• Tarot and Angel Card Readings
• Yoga
• Body Massages
• Acupuncturists and herbalists
• Angel Healers
• Reiki
• Crystal Healing
• Personal Coaching
• Tai Chi
• Manicures

The Special Olympics Ireland – Carlow Fundraising Team has a fundraising target of €100,000 by the end of May 2009. The Dolmen Hotel have waived the room hire fee as their own donation to the campaign.

The organisers also have other events arranged including a Tug of War between County Carlow and County Kilkenny.  A Nintendo Wii Fit competition, a Treasure Trail in May, a Garden Party in the Delta Centre and a Carlow Garda Dinner/Dance on 3 April 2009 at the Seven Oaks Hotel.

Further Information about Special Olympics Ireland & Special Olympics (Co Carlow)

Note: This is copied from their distributed info

Did you know 58% of people with a learning disability in Ireland have no friends of their own?

Special Olympics Ireland is a national charity based in the 32 counties in Ireland and  will run a major all-island fundraising initiative from January 5th to June 5th 2009, called `Changing Lives’.  The money raised during our short campaign will support the 12,000 athletes and 18,000 volunteers in 420 clubs and also enable the recruitment of NEW athletes so we can realise our goal of reaching out to more people with a learning disability.

There are 943 people with an intellectual disability in County Carlow/Kilkenny but only 160 of them are County Carlow athletes in Special Olympics Ireland. Money raised will go towards providing sports training and competition for those athletes and to reach out to the clearly significant number of people in County Carlow not already involved.

The Special Olympic Athlete’s oath is “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”  and in our brief 5 month campaign period we in County Carlow intend to work very hard to provide children and adults with an intellectual disability who participate in Special Olympics to develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but “their voices” as well.

Special Olympics Ireland changes the lives of people with an intellectual disability by giving them a real opportunity to achieve in life, through sport.  Belonging to Special Olympics has a powerful impact, not only on people with an intellectual disability but also on their families, volunteers and the wider community.

The World Games are held every 4 years – 2009 will see the Winter Games in Boise, USA and the next Summer Games are in 2011 in Athens, Greece. To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, athletes must be at least six years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction.

Whilst athletes can commence training at six years of age, they must be eight years old before participating in competions. Our Irish athletes participate in Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics and Table Tennis. In addition there is a Motor Activities Training Programme offering cycling, kayaking, pitch & putt and tennis.

Special Olympics Ireland is sponsored by The Irish Sports Council and Eircom however in today’s tough economic conditions Special Olympics Ireland – Co Carlow Team couldn’t meet the needs of our own potential athletes without the generosity of supporters like you. Many Thanks!