Tag Archives: clare crusaders

A Government Minister of State has pledged to meet with representatives of the largest Clare charity providing therapy for children with special needs to discuss funding options. Clare Crusaders Clinic Manager, Ann Norton has confirmed Minister of State for Equality and Disability Anne Rabbitte has agreed to meet her with Senator Timmy Dooley to discuss possible funding streams for the clinic. Ms Norton also plans to highlight the difficulties parents are experiencing trying to get children with special needs a place in special schools and secondary schools during her meeting with Minister Rabbitte. She said an analysis needs to be undertaken why there are so many deficits in public services and why they are not getting better. “Some parents feel they are letting down their children but the system is letting them down,” she said. The former independent councillor pointed out children with additional needs are facing a wait of up to two years for therapy. In spite of the …

Another new councillor will be elected in the Ennis Muncipal District following confirmation Ann Norton (Ind) will not be contesting the June local elections. Following the shock departure of Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn from the election race, Councillor Norton’s decision not to run again boosts the chances of a new independent candidate winning a seat. Having served two terms from 2014 to 2024, Councillor Norton (52) said she had always given herself a ten-year timeframe to achieve certain goals in local Government. The Independent councillor believes she used her time in politics to highlight various issues affecting people with disabilities. She now wants to spend more time looking after her daughter, Nicole, who has cerebral palsy and other issues, as her health has deteriorated in recent years. Due to the increase in hospital visits with Nicole, Ann explained it is hard to focus on caring for her in the hospital when her phone is ringing in connection with council …

Three community-based charities in County Clare received a combined fundraising donation of €3,550 from the Cliffs of Moher Experience this week. The North Clare visitor attraction marked the end of the tourism year with a Christmas Breakfast for all staff at the Cliff View Café this Wednesday. The management team was on hand to help serve tea and coffees to the hard-working team and to representatives from Pieta House, Ennistymon Community Hospital and Clare Crusaders, who shared the proceeds from the fund.

CLARE Crusaders Children’s Clinic had a very special visitor recently when Santa Claus himself paid an early visit. The big man in red arrived in Barefield earlier this month for the clinic’s first ever sensory-friendly Santa Grotto with Fiona Norton of Clare Crusaders describing the event as a fantastic success with plans already in place for its return next year. The families who visited got a chance to meet Santa who gave every child their very own present, and a volunteer photographer was on hand to capture the moment. For some, this was their first time getting a family picture with Santa. Before meeting Santa, the children and young people had an opportunity to make reindeer food and decorate Christmas cookies to put out for Santa on Christmas Eve. They also wrote their Santa letters and coloured pictures which were posted to the North Pole. The coffee corner was also well stocked with delicious treats and nibbles, homemade hot chocolate, …

THE number of referrals to Clare Crusader’s Clinic has jumped by 15% over the last 12 months due to the impact of Covid-19, it emerged this week. Clinic managing director, Councillor Ann Norton confirmed there has been a significant increase in the demand for their therapists in the clinic. A lot of work is taking place getting their therapists ready to assist children with additional needs once the primary schools re-open. “Families with new diagnoses are constantly coming to us because they can’t access a public service. The demand was very high during our very successful summer camps. “We were very fortunate to get a number of primary school teachers who came with new ideas. We had music therapists and a yoga teacher who was available every day. A lot of work and time was put into the summer camps. “We will continue to provide the yoga teacher and music therapists once funds are there to provide the service,” she …

THE Easter Bunny will make a special appearance in playgrounds throughout East Clare as part of a fundraising event for Clare Crusaders’ Clinic. Children can meet the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 16, in O’Briensbridge at 11am, Broadford at 11.45am, Tulla at 1.30pm and Ennis Fairgreen at 3.30pm for a chat and photographs. Parents can make donations to the collection buckets that will be available at the playgrounds. The idea behind the fundraiser came from The Easter Bunny, Tina O’Loughlin, Broadford, who visited children’s gardens last year to collect money for the local playground development. Tina approached Lourda Doyle who felt this fun event should be repeated this year for Clare Crusaders. Lourda said it is important to raise money for Clare Crusaders, which provides a lot of free therapy to children with special needs. The Easter Bunny visited Barney’s Kids Club on Sunday, which was a huge success for both children and parents, as part of an initiative for …

Clare Crusaders are very busy gearing up for their eagerly-awaited Tractor Run on Sunday, August 29. This is the first public fundraising event the clinic has been able to organise, in view of the fact it is open-air, and it is regarded as very safe to comply with stringent Covid-19 guidelines. Starting at 2pm, the Tractor Run goes from Barefield up the back road to Ruan, on to Tubber and Crusheen, before returning to Barefield village. It is expected that up to 100 vintage and modern tractors will participate in the run. It costs €20 for tractors to participate and money will also be raised from a raffle. Raffle tickets are currently on sale in the clinic and can be also purchased on the day. Tractors can park in Hassett’s car park, at the clinic, on the main road and up towards the school. All the participants will be staying in their tractor and will follow an arranged route, while …

THE recent Autism Activity GAA Camp held at Cusack Park, Ennis has been hailed a success by the organisers and participants, writes Dan Danaher. Fifty-five children ranging in age from six to 13 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enjoyed a wide variety of activities including parachute games, ball games, obstacle courses, foam javelin, tug-of-war, hurling and a variation of tag rugby thanks to the assistance of more than 40 coaches, volunteers and helpers during the three days. They were also given the opportunity to play hurling, if they wished during the second hour of the camp. Every morning children were given sensory activities to regulate their sensory needs before the start of the two-hour session. Clare GAA provided about 17 coaches, which included camogie players and ladies’ footballers. Clare Ladies’ footballer, Ellie O’Gorman helped out as a volunteer for the three days. She was joined by Aidan McCarthy, Aine O’Loughlin and Clare footballer Darragh Bohannon, who also visited the camp. …