It’s a Knockout event raised thousands for Knockevin

It’s a Knockout event raised thousands for Knockevin

3 August 2016

A MAJOR fundraiser in aid of Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick has raised £6,100.

Last month, Downpatrick Boxing Academy organised an It’s A Knockout-style event at Dunleath Park which was transformed into a challenging competition arena with the help of Pathway Adventure Activities.

The fundraiser was in aid of Knockevin’s Sparkle project which hopes to provide to new multi-sensory rooms at its bases in Downpatrick and Dundrum. 

The school’s Parent Staff Association is hoping to raise £50,000 for the refurbishment of Downpatrick’s outdated sensory room and the creation of a new multi-sensory unit in Dundrum.

The Association says the Downpatrick facility is in urgent need of refurbishment, while the new Dundrum campus — which provides a feeder facility for the Downpatrick senior school — had no sensory room at all.

A series of fundraisers have already been held and the Downpatrick Boxing Academy is keen to do its bit to help. Emmanuel McMenamin, who runs the Academy, joined club officials last week to hand over the money raised in July to Knockevin school principal Ann Cooper.

“I was delighted to be able to help the school and I want to thank all those who supported the It’s A Knockout event. The Boxing Club was really keen to help Knockevin as the school and the staff do such a wonderful job. We were only too pleased to help and were delighted so many people came along on the day,” he continued.

“Knockevin does a fantastic job with special needs children. A relative of mine is a pupil at the school and my wife also works there. That is why I was so keen to help the Sparkle project.”

Organisations which took part in the fundraiser included the Fire and Rescue Service, PSNI, Asda, Downpatrick Football Club, Celtic Bhoys FC, Downpatrick Boxing Academy, Knockevin Special School and the Arkle Bar.

Emmanuel continued: “The event was great fun and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and raising money for such a worthy cause. In addition to the organisations and businesses who entered teams, many others in the business community provided food, beverages and sponsorship which was fantastic. Their support was overwhelming.”

He said many people recognise the important role Knockevin School plays in the lives of young people and their families and its importance to the local community.

Emmanuel said he cannot thank enough everyone who made donations of food and beverages and those who donated raffle prizes.

They include: Gibney’s, AK’s Butcher, McGreevy’s Butchers, Richard’s Butchers, Paddy Flynn’s, McDonald’s, Poundstretcher, Morgan Morrison (Docs Fish and Chips), B&C McKeown, Premier Poultry, Autotec, GM Body Repairs, Kim on In, Wilson’s family butchers, Wrap ’n Roll, Lucy Annie’s Bakery, SuperValu Crossgar, Liam Gibney, Strangford Fuels, The Golden Chip, Haircut 2000.

Funky Monkeys, Eclipse Cinema, Downpatrick Boxing Academy, Ciaran Rea, D Hamill car repairs, Murphys, Posh Nails, Harbinson Hair, Rebecca’s Beauty Room, Norma J’s, Georgine Crothers, Way Out, TZone, Prestine Car Wash, Molloy’s Chip Shop, Ciaran Rea and Phelim Curran.