’Champion goes on a cuppa Crusade

THE people of Clare are being urged to wake up and smell the coffee about the amazing work being done by The Clare Crusaders.
As part of Local Newspaper Week 2012. The Clare Champion is doing its bit to make sure the message gets out there. A fundraising coffee morning for Clare Crusaders has been organised by The Clare Champion for this Friday from 10am until 12 noon in the Old Ground Hotel. People are being encouraged to come along, have a cup of coffee and help raise some funds and awareness.
“I am asking people to come along and show their support for this wonderful charity, everyone is welcome,” said Clare Champion managing director John Galvin.
“The coffee morning is to mark Local Newspaper Week, which involves regional papers throughout Ireland getting together to promote the value of local newspapers to the community.
“The Clare Crusaders do such wonderful work with children with special needs. As a community, we are deeply appreciative of the services they provide and feel that they deserve all the support that we can give.”
Clare Crusaders Clinic manager Ann Norton said The Clare Champion has played a vital role in informing the public about the work its therapists carry out for children with special needs.
She said the paper helps people to understand that the clinic gets no Government funding or support and has to raise €250,000 annually just to survive.
“It is important for people to realise that all the money raised for Clare Crusaders goes directly towards providing therapy for children. None of this money goes on overheads or management fees because the administration of the clinic and fundraising is all completed on a voluntary basis.
“Even though we are now providing therapy for over 200 children, we are still operating on the same €250,000 budget for the last five years. We have to work hard at finding new ways towards getting the best value for money.
“Group sessions and a very successful summer camp have been organised where therapy is provided to a number of children who benefit from interacting with their peers and, at the same, time getting therapy.
“All the focus is on ensuring children get the best therapy that suits their individual needs,” she concluded.