Charity in desperate Rory plea

Charity in desperate Rory plea

12 August 2015

WORLD number one golfer Rory McIlroy has been asked to help a leading autism charity secure a new permanent home in Downpatrick.

Children And Parents And Autism (CAPAA), which caters for children and young adults, is facing a race against time in its search for new premises and hopes the Holywood superstar may be able to provide financial support.

CAPAA is desperately hoping it can retain its presence in Downpatrick to continue with its vital work and this week the charity’s chairwoman, Moira Denvir, confirmed she has penned a personal letter to the world number one seeking his help.

The charity, which has struggled for some time to find a new home and must vacate its current base at Ward 24 at the Downshire Hospital by the end of the week, is holding an emergency meeting in the town tonight as concern mounts that recent public appeals for help came to nothing.

On the eve of the meeting at Ward 24 which starts at 7pm, Mrs Denvir met with Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials as the search for a new home intensifies.

CAPAA has identified Down Council’s former building control offices at the Strangford Road as ideal and is keen to secure approval to be allowed to use it. But with limited finances, the charity cannot afford the rent being asked for. Mrs Denvir hopes agreement on a way forward could still be reached.

One other option which CAPAA parents will be asked to consider tonight is paying a monthly charge of £10 to help the charity generate funds with a view to renting premises.

“There has been no movement in our quest to find a permanent new home,” she said. “The Hub in Downpatrick has kindly offered the use of its premises at the Grove shopping centre on Wednesday and Friday evenings and we will take up that offer as we bid to find a permanent base.

“We find ourselves are in a desperate situation. We have looked at a number of places but the rent is in excess of £20,000 a year in some cases. That is money we simply do not have. We get by year by year on the grants that we receive. We do not have a pot of money stashed away for a rainy day.

“If someone offered us an old barn we would qualify for funding to renovate and use it. But we cannot get money to buy premises and we have no money to rent them. That is the situation we are in.”

Mrs Denvir said the charity requires a permanent base for its children and young adults because the South Eastern Trust requires the premises the charity is currently using.

“We will be asking parents tonight if they will consider making a monthly financial contribution so we could put the money in a pot and put that towards renting premises. If we went down this road we might be able to manage,” she explained.

“I have always insisted CAPAA will not go out of business. If there were no premises I would hold meetings in my own home if I had to. If anyone can help us please get in touch. It does not matter if someone can offer us £50 or £500, all help will be greatly appreciated to help us continue providing services for our children and young adults.”

Mrs Denvir added: “It is too important for us to sit back and wait for something to happen. We need a new permanent home and will do all we can to secure that. The young adults we provide services for are aware of the current situation and are becoming increasingly anxious.

“We will take up The Hub’s offer, but the quest for a permanent base continues and we hope there will be people who can help us. We are committed to this organisation. Our numbers are increasing and will do what we can to secure the new home we need. It’s crucial we find somewhere.”