Offaly School of Special Education to hold Black Tie Ball

A group of individuals with a strong connection to Offaly School of Special Education have formed a committee to fundraise for the provision of recreational resources and activities for the students attending Offaly’s only dedicated special school.

As head of the committee, local man Michael Kidney says, “there’s a reason this school is called special, because that’s exactly what these kids are.”

Forty-two pupils from all over the county of Offaly and its borders are catered for at the school in Tullamore:

They are between the ages of four and eighteen years of age and all have a diagnosis of Severe/Profound intellectual disability or, autism spectrum disorder combined with an intellectual disability. The majority are non-verbal and many also have physical disabilities.

At present the school is in a temporary building which lacks many of the basic resources and facilities that purpose-built special schools have. The only current option to provide the pupils with much-needed recreational activities is to travel outside of the school grounds, which is very costly because the school doesn’t have its own transport.

Michael explained, ‘These kids not only deserve to be able to go swimming, horse-riding etc just like their peers, they need to be able to. The benefits of these activities are immeasurable. Having equal access to sports and recreational resources can enhance their motor skills, social and communicating abilities, as well as improve their overall health and well-being. Like all children, those with special needs will mature physically, socially and emotionally when participating regularly in recreational activity.’

Michael explained that while the school is funded by the Department of Education, the financial implication of providing recreational activities in this special school is exacerbated by their current situation and the requirement for accessible buses, plus the necessity for specialised equipment such as hoists often resulting in them having to travel outside of their immediate locality to suitable facilities, all at an additional cost.

In addition to therapeutic recreational play activities, the children also require services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology and these are all seriously underfunded at present.

‘This is why we want to raise as much money as possible so that the school can increase the frequency and variety of therapies that they can offer these very special children.’

There are a few ways the people of Offaly can help.

A “Black-Tie Ball” will be held on April 21st in The Tullamore Court Hotel. Tickets are available at a cost of €100 each. The event promises to be a spectacular night beginning with a drinks reception on arrival followed by a delicious gourmet meal and ending on a high note, with music by “The Secrets” plus a few surprises in between!

Phone Enquiries to: Michael Kidney: (086) 8068515 Stephen Callan: (083) 3611695
Ger Kidney: (086) 8137618 Tríona Hanley: (086) 8828884
Stephen Kidney: (086) 3639339 Karen Flanagan: (087) 6471526
Caroline Kelly: (087) 9260102 OSSE: (057) 9320537

Email Enquiries to: OSSEBall2023@gmail.com

There are several tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities available which we are more than happy to discuss with you. Both monetary sponsorship and prizes for an auction/raffle would be greatly appreciated.

An iDonate account is available for anyone who wishes to support the event with a donation. Visit https://www.idonate.ie/cause/OffalySchoolofSpecialEducation