Hannah, Dad Fergal, Adam, Mum Therese and Ned Clarke , Five year old Adam Clarke completes final leg of mini-marathon in the company of friends and family and raises funds for Enable Ireland, Newcestown Primary School held a very special assembly today with five year old junior infant pupil Adam Clarke taking the lead. Adam, in the company of his twenty fellow junior infant classmates completed the final 0.25km of his 6km mini-marathon walk. Adam, who attends Enable Ireland services in Cork, completed the 6km with the aid of his walker and raised over €11,000 for Enable Ireland in the process.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy Photography 087 8537228
Newcestown National School held a very special assembly today with five year old junior infant pupil Adam Clarke taking the lead. Adam, in the company of his twenty fellow junior infant classmates completed the final 0.25km of his 6km mini-marathon walk. Adam, who attends Enable Ireland services in Cork, completed the 6km with the aid of his walker and raised over €11,000 for Enable Ireland in the process.
Despite having surgery last November, Adam and his family were determined to complete the full 6km and raise funds for Enable Ireland’s Children Service Centre in Curraheen in the process. Today, saw him reach his goal of walking 6km and, surrounded by family and friends, there was much excitement at his school’s assembly as he crossed the finish line.
Completing the walk was a big occasion for Adam as his mother Therese explained, “Adam is an adorably, witty five year old boy who was born with cerebral palsy as a tiny baby. Adam has Triplegic cerebral palsy where it affects three of his limbs, both of his legs and upper right side. Adam gets about aided with his walker and also has “Ted” his power wheelchair.”
Adam’s father, Fergal, said that Adam walked his own 6km on a cumulative basis with the help of his brother and sister to help raise money for Enable Ireland so they could support others like him. “Enable Ireland has given Adam ability. He would not be able to get up onto a walker without them. They have given him the tools and confidence on every level — emotionally, physically, and mentally. They’ve given Adam a place in the world. It’s been life-changing.”
Speaking about the event Maria Desmond, Regional Fundraising Manager Enable Ireland Cork said “On behalf of everyone in Enable Ireland a huge congratulations to Adam on his amazing achievement. We are absolutely delighted to benefit from the funds Adam and his family have raised for our children’s Service centre in Curraheen. Thank you to everyone who supported Adam on his incredible fundraiser.”
You can support the Adam through his iDonate link here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11409893_adam-clarke-s-fundraising-page.html
Enable Ireland provides services to over 13,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families in 14 counties. Enable Ireland has provided disability services in Cork for over 60 years. They are the lead agency for three Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT’s) at the Lavanagh Centre in Curraheen. They provide adult service including adult training, personal centred planning, job coaching, therapies and transport services from Little Island, Ballincollig, Carrigaline and Macroom. They also provide vital respite services for children from their respite house in Curraheen.
Enable Ireland has two charity shops in Cork, one on North Main Street and a new shop on Parnell Place. Profits from these shops support the charities disability services. Every year, Enable Ireland requires over €2 million in additional income from their charity shops and fundraising to go towards meeting the costs of delivering their vital disability services. You can support Enable Ireland by donating online www.enableireland.ie/donate.
