Tag Archives: Irish Wheelchair Association

“OUR volunteers are the backbone of what we do,” says Tina Nagle, shop supervisor at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s charity shop in Ennis’ Elevation Business Park. Tina was speaking to The Champion as the shop’s team celebrated scooping an impressive four national awards from the Irish Charity Shop Association, including Volunteer of the Year for Margaret Hurley. And she revealed the success of the Ennis shop, which has expanded to 3,000 square feet at its base on the Clon Road, is set to become the model for any new shops to be opened by the charity in the future. According to Tina they were “thrilled” to receive accolades from the Irish Charity Shop Association at their recent awards ceremony in Dublin. As well as Margaret’s national Volunteer of the Year award, selected from charity shops all over Ireland, volunteer Hasibullah Darwish was runner up in the Volunteer throughout Ireland category; Teresa Marshall received a special Volunteer Recognition award and Tina …

PLANS to improve the accessibility of Ennis’ town centre, including upgrading disabled parking spaces, have been approved by the Ennis Municipal District. The proposals involve works at Friary Carpark, Abbey Street Carpark and Lower Market Street. Discussions had been held at the design stage with the local branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association whose views were taken on board. According to Barry Conway, executive engineer, “The progression of this scheme will be of great benefit to the local community and visitors to the town and will make the area safe in terms of accessibility and safety of travel.” Details of the plans were outlined at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, with councillors giving their backing to the proposals. The works involve: upgrading of disabled parking spaces to meet current standards; adjustment to footways; provision of kerbing and dropped kerbs; provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing; provision of all associated signage and road markings, and associated drainage and ancillary …

ENNIS local Margaret Hurley has been presented with a national award for her volunteering work. Margaret was named a winner in the Health and Wellbeing category in the national Volunteer Ireland Awards for her commitment to the Irish Wheelchair Association. Margaret Hurley has been volunteering with the Irish Wheelchair Association in Ennis for over 15 years. Known to her friends as ‘Mags’, she has been the backbone of the Ennis branch, and has been the driver, literally and metaphorically, of hundreds of activities over the years. She is currently the Branch Treasurer, but also acts as a driver of IWA’s wheelchair accessible minibus when required. Despite the considerable time commitment Margaret gives to the local volunteer branch, her dedication to the organisation is so strong that she also has another volunteer role with the Irish Wheelchair Association charity shop in Ennis. According to Clare Volunteer Centre Manager, Sharon Meaney, “The Clare branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association were determined to …

THE plight faced during the lock-down by those with physical disabilities has been highlighted by front line workers with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Clare. The IWA has developed a mobile outreach services to respond to the needs of 55 members, many of who are cocooning due to the increased risk to their health posed by Covid-19. The organisation has also raised concerns about the funds needed to keep its services in place, as key fund-raising, including its networks of shops, has been suspended. An emergency response team continues to reach people with disabilities and provide advice, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and services including shopping and bill payment. Coordinator of the service, Catherine Earley said the lock-down was severely affecting people with physical disabilities. “This is a very worrying time for people who use our services and are dependent on our assistance to allow them to remain living safely in their own homes,” she explained. “Many of them are aware that due …