Big Lottery grant for autism group

Big Lottery grant for autism group

25 July 2018

A DOWNPATRICK group which works with families of children on the autism spectrum has secured a cash windfall from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme and is planning its own fundraising climb in the Mournes.

Parent Action CIC — which empowers the parents of children, young people and adults with disabilities or long-term health conditions to speak up for their family member’s needs — secured £9,665 in funding from Awards for All.

On August 26, the organisation hopes to raise more cash to fund its work with the fundraising walk which 20 people have already signed up to take part in.

The Downpatrick group organises a number of sessions for children at the Ballymote Health and Wellbeing Centre and at a local community organisation’s Trojan Horse building in the New Model Farm.

Children take part in a range of activities, including sensory play sessions which they really enjoy and get so much out of.

Aíne Sloan, one of the parents who helps run the Downpatrick group, explained the Awards for All funding bid was made to secure finance to provide a range of initiatives including Lego therapy, a so-called balance-ability programme, parent autism training and a sports programme.

“We also wanted to secure money from the Big Lottery scheme to provide a stress relieving programme for parents as specific autism activities are very limited in the Downpatrick area,” she explained.

“The money we have received will enable us to make a real difference to the families of children on the autism spectrum.”

Looking ahead to the Slieve Donard fundraising climb, which will allow Parent Action to expand the programmes it provides, Aíne hopes more people will join the 20-strong group which has already signed up to take part.

“To date, we have raised over £1,000 and hope to raise more which will allow us to provide suitable autism friendly swimming lessons and music therapy. People can contact us via our Facebook page where they can also register to take part in the climb,” Aíne continued.

She added: “In addition to raising money we also want to spread the message of autism awareness and acceptance. All the money we raise is spent on local children.”

Donations can also be made on line via the Downpatrick group’s crowd funding page.