Laois Offaly Families for Autism’s first Annual Rainbow Day has proved a massive success with a staggering €19,000 raised.
Chairperson Breda Murray is very grateful for, but not surprised by, the support the people of Laois and Offaly have given Rainbow Day.
That figure alone, she says, is enough to subsidise a weekly session of occupational or speech or play therapy for each child in LOFFA for the rest of the year.
She said: “The people of Laois/Offaly have never been found wanting when the LOFFA call for support goes out.”
Although initially only primary and secondary schools were asked to participate the word soon got out that LOFFA needed support and that is when “the magic started to happen” says Breda.
She said: “Playschools, workplaces, nursing homes, members of the public all came forward to ask about holding a Rainbow Day or about how to donate to LOFFA.
“The goodwill was overwhelming.”
While deeply appreciative of the financial support LOFFA has received, what has heartened Breda and the LOFFA membership is the strength of public awareness of and acceptance of autism.
She said: “To see the awareness and the inclusivity start in the preschools and nurtured through the education system gives us all so much hope for the future.
“Between preschools, schools, nursing homes and workplaces it goes to show that many families across Laois Offaly have been touched in some way by autism.”
LOFFA stands ready and willing to support any family with a child with a diagnosis of ASD.
Please contact info@loffa.ie for membership information.
The future is bright for LOFFA says Breda – the future is Rainbow!
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