A SPECIAL treat is in store for East Clare children when the Easter Bunny visits local playgrounds this Saturday.
In addition to having their photograph taken with the Easter Bunny, children will receive an Easter Egg in five different playgrounds.
What makes this initiative even sweeter is the fact that all donations will be collected for Ennis Voices for Autism (EVA) as part of their Easter Fundraiser.
The Easter Bunny, aka Tina O’Loughlin from Broadford, will conduct a whistle-stop tour of the following playgrounds – O’Brien’s Bridge at 11am; Killaloe at 12 noon; Scariff at 1pm; Tulla at 2pm and Broadford at 3pm on Saturday, April 8.
Last year, all the funds raised from this event went to Clare Crusaders, and this year EVA are delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary.
The bucket collectors will include Ann Hickey, Lourda Doyle, Triona Cooney and Francis Ryan.
In January 2012, a group of parents came together and formed EVA to support parents of children with Autism and related conditions. Initially, the main aim to have regular meetings to provide each other with support and advice etc.
But over the years the group’s main purpose evolved to provide sensory-friendly activities for children with Autism across Clare.
These have included one-to-one swimming lessons, therapeutic horse-riding, dedicated free-play sessions at Ennis Gymnastics Club, cycle lessons in association with Cycle Safe Ireland, bowling at PLANET Leisure Centre, Showgrounds, Ennis, summer camps in association with Clare Sports Partnership, surfing lessons in Spanish Point during July and August, Kids Club activities in Barneys/Kidz Fun Club, Gort Road, Ennis for younger kids, boat trips to Scattery Island and also with Doolin Ferries as well as sensory-friendly cinema screenings in Ennis and Limerick.
Most of these activities are provided free of charge. Occasionally, the group charge a nominal fee.
The group also provide funding to a number of local national schools to assist them in the provision of what is known as July Provision.
It has offered advice in relation to the re-development of playgrounds, to make them more sensory friendly, and advised Shannon Airport in the provision of the Sensory Room in their departures area.
EVA doesn’t charge any membership fees and doesn’t ask parents to fundraise, relying instead on donations and the occasional grant to provide these activities.
Donations can also be made directly to EVA on www.idonate.ie/7319 eva—ennis-voices-for-autism.html
All support for EVA would be greatly appreciated.
Dan Danaher
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.