A record €33,000 has been raised for an Ennis special school through Clare FM’s annual radio charity auction.
All proceeds will go to St Clare’s School, which caters for children aged four to 18 with learning disabilities.
The auction has been conducted in partnership with the Ennis Lions Club which is a non-profit voluntary service organisation established in 1976.
Boasting 40 members, the organisation frequently engages in providing supports and assistance to elderly, young and disadvantaged people in the greater Ennis area.
Its president, Maria Molloy Hanley says the values of community and service are at the group’s core.
Ennis special school St Clare’s was chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s charity auction.
Located on the Gort Road, the school looks after students aged four to 18 with general learning disabilities at varying levels of severity as well as those with autism.
The school has stated its intention to use the funds raised from the auction to secure outdoor playground equipment for its pupils, which it says is essential to its offering.
David Culligan, who teaches in the senior side of the school, believes the additions will put a smile on the faces of their students.
This year’s auction featured a record 279 prizes, ranging from a Miword web design and development package retailing at €2,500 to a €12 voucher for a QiGong Selfheal class.
Since the 5th of October, people from County Clare and beyond have been bidding on various items in the hope of getting a bargain, while giving to a deserving cause.
The total amount raised in this year’s auction was €33,000 which is higher than the figure for any of the previous three years when the auction was held.
Catherine Curtin’s 14-year-old son is non-verbal and attends St Clare’s.
She says the work they do is invaluable.
Listen back to the Clare FM Radio Auction here
