A blast of colour went off in Gaelscoil Phortlaoise today as they raised funds for a very worthy cause.
The pupils and teachers at the school had their colourful non-uniform day and raised €650 for Rainbows Ireland.
Two teachers in the school volunteer with Rainbows Ireland, which works to help children and young people who have experienced a significant loss in their lives.
This has helped the Mulhall family in Portlaoise to deal with the tragic sudden death of the late Alan Mulhall.
Alan, who worked as an electrician, was killed in a workplace accident while working in Dublin last November.
Alan and his wife Vikki have four young children – two sets of twins, three boys and one girl. Their two oldest, Sean and Jamie, are now in second class, and have been receiving the support of Rainbows Ireland in their school, Gaelscoil Phortlaoise.
Memorial walk for Alan
Vikki began organised what originally started out as a walk/run in memory of her late husband on what would be his 35th birthday, which has since turned into a fundraiser for Rainbows Ireland.
“I suppose when I saw how much feedback there was on Facebook – the shares, the likes, I thought that I should fundraise for something and give something back,” Vikki told LaoisToday.
“Rainbows has been the only group I’ve been involved in for the kids so I said I’d do it for them. The school were very forthcoming in offering it up to us and telling us about it,” she said.
Those who wish to attend the walk/run event in can meet in Emo GAA field on Sunday, October 14, with the walk beginning at 12pm.
There is also a GoFundMe account set up where people can donate.
That has already raised over €2,000 and Vikki thanked everyone who has donated this way so far.
She said: “I’d also like to thank everyone who has taken the time to make a donation online. Their support has been overwhelming.”
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