COPE FOUNDATION ASKS CORK TO SHINE A LIGHT ON INCLUSION THIS CHRISTMAS

Cope Foundation service users Emma O’Connor and Aoife Kelly
PIC Darragh Kane

 

The organisation has launched its ‘Light Up Cork’ virtual giving page

 

Cork’s first citizens are appealing to the people of the City and County to support Cope Foundation’s virtual giving page and shine a light on inclusion this Christmas.

 

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher and Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Seamus McGrath have officially launched ‘Light Up Cork’. The website, which is designed by Amy Begley, shows a night sky over a number of well-known landmarks across Cork city and county. Donors are asked to dedicate a star to a loved one. By lighting up a star they are also shining a light on Cork and inclusion.

 

Cope Foundation supports 2,800 people with an intellectual disability and/or autism to live ‘Your Life, Your Way’.  Cope Foundation has a growing network of 70 centres stretching from East Cork to West Cork. The landmarks in Light Up Cork represent some of the towns and areas where Cope Foundation services and supports are available. On the page you will find the Shandon Bells in Cork city; the Kindred Spirits sculpture in Midleton; the Castle Gates in Macroom; St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh and the Baltimore Beacon in West Cork.

 

Sean Abbott, Chief Executive of Cope Foundation, said: “We are delighted to partner with Amy Begley for our 2021 Christmas campaign. Amy is a very talented graphic designer and visual artist who is also supported by Cope Foundation. We hope that ‘Light Up Cork’ will help us to raise much-needed funds for our organisation but, more importantly, it is about shining a light on inclusion. Cope Foundation is committed to speaking up and continuing the conversation around rights and equalities for people with disabilities and/or autism.”

 

As part of the campaign, Cope Foundation is asking the people of Cork to make a special effort to ‘Light Up’ on Friday, December 3rd to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

 

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher is supporting the campaign, he said: “I hope that companies and schools will ‘Light Up’ on December 3rd in support of inclusion in our communities. It can be something as simple as wearing a Christmas jumper with flashing lights, a Santa hat with a light or even putting lights around your laptop at work.”

 

Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Seamus McGrath added, “Light Up Cork is a wonderful initiative. Dedicating a star to someone special in your life is a really lovely gift idea that will give back to so many people across Cork city and county. Amy Begley’s designs of our famous landmarks in Midleton, Macroom, Cobh and West Cork are instantly recognisable. They’re also locations where you will find Cope Foundation supporting and working with people with disabilities and/or autism every day of the year.”

 

To light up a star online visit www.lightupcork.ie