A Clare charity which provides free therapy to children with special needs has been described as an example of “best practice” at a national level.
Government funding of €300,000 for the Clare Crusaders Clinic in Barefield has been announced during a ministerial visit to the facility today.
Set up in 2007 by former Independent Councillor Ann Norton along with a group of parents, Clare Crusaders is a self-financing charity that gives more than 450 children with special needs in the county access to free therapy and specialist treatment.
The organisation’s management has long lamented the fact that it receives no State funding and instead has to raise upwards of €250,000 each year through a busy calendar of fundraising events.
Today represents a significant milestone in the clinic’s journey, however, as for the first time, a Government funding allocation amounting to €300,000 has been announced.
It’s understood the money will go towards information and communications technology as well as related equipment.
Fine Gael Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Hildegarde Naughton, who made the announcement, insists similar facilities across the country could learn from Clare Crusaders.
During her visit to the Barefield facility, the Minister spoke with staff as well as parents of service users in relation to the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Among those in attendance was Ann Enright from Quin, whose daughter Adah has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, is visually impaired, has limited speech, has seizures and needs 24/7 care.
She says the support of Clare Crusaders has changed both of their lives for the better.
In a show of gratitude for the funding award, bouquets of flowers were presented to Minister Naughton as well as HSE Midwest Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick on behalf of Clare Crusaders.
Its Co-founder and Managing Director, Ann Norton claims it’s the first time she’s been listened to by those in power.
Listen to full interview here
