Portlaoise Educate Together NS gave a phenomenal €540 from their ‘Transmitter School Tour’ to the Ben and Jake Connolly Trust in Mountmellick.
Making Ben smile
Ben and Jake Connolly Trust committee member Deirdre Quinn collected the school’s donation and was delighted with the money raised. “What an absolute pleasure to have spent time here. The picture is especially for Ben to make him smile,” she told the pupils.
Ben Connolly was born with a rare syndrome called Allan Herndon Dudley Syndrome. His late brother Jake passed away in 2016.
He is missing the cell that allows the thyroid hormone through to their brain. This causes a lack of myelin around the wiring of their brain which slows down or causes mixed messages from the brain, causing severe developmental delay.
Despite this, Ben is described as a happy, smiley boy by all who know him.
The cheque was presented to her by Mimi Cullen from the Parents Association and members from the Student Council.
Deirdre then gave a question and answers session with pupils afterwards and handed out leaflets for them to bring home to learn where the money will go and how Ben is continuing his courageous journey.
Despite all the money raised by people in the community, Deirdre said the Trust are still €30,000 in deficit.
To find out more about the Ben and Jake Connolly Trust, visit here.
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