Day: March 20, 2023

Cullen and District Special Needs Association

The grand finale of our 36th Annual #WeighIn was on Monday March 13th, when a large number of participants eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners in the different categories.
This year we again invited representatives of the various centres, where our friends are educated and made a financial presentation on your behalf to them i.e. Michael Hegarty CEO. St Josephs Foundation, Charleville, Mary Fogarty – COPE Mallow and Kanturk, COPE Cork. Gillian Kenny, of Kerry Parents and Friends Association represented Tearmann Lodge and Glebe house, Castleisland. They all replied and expressed their sincere gratitude and deepest appreciation for this financial boost. They paid tribute to the generosity of the Association and their many supporters who support the various fundraising projects. Due to Government cut backs in funding, their needs are greater more than ever and voluntary fundraising is hugely important to enable these centres to achieve high standards and services to enhance the lives of people with an intellectual disability.
Michael Moynihan TD., Chairperson of the Disability Matters Committee in Dáil Eireann also spoke and congratulated all participants.
Weight Loss Ladies –
1st Mag Mullane, Rathcoole 21.6 lbs
2nd Marie Fleming, Cullen, 19.6 lbs
3rd Dolores O’Connor, Cullen 18.8 lbs
Weight Loss Gents –
1st James Collins, Millstreet 36.6 lbs
2nd Declan Kelleher, Millstreet 21.6 lbs
3rd Neily Lehane, Kiskeam 17 lbs
Money Collected –
1st Mary O’Mahony, Flintfield, €320.00
2nd Neily Lehane, Kiskeam and Thomas Kelleher, Cullen €250.00
3rd Colette Vaughan, Cullen €200.00
Total Money collected: – €5,500.00, a small number of cards are still outstanding and can be given to any committee member.
Total Weight Loss over the 10 weeks: – 600 lbs.
Trophies were presented to all the above winners.
Raffle Winners – Thomas Kelleher, Cullen, Mary Fleming, Cullen, Neily Lehane, Kiskeam, Anne O’Connor, Boherbue, Kathleen O’Sullivan, Cullen, Anthony Barry, Millstreet.
We had fantastic support with 87 cards being issued, making it a very busy 10 nights for Healthy Body Wealthy Mind with Marie O’ Sullivan who co-ordinated #WeighIn and spoke to each participant individually and discussed a suitable weight loss over the ten weeks. Hannah O’Connor expertly guided an exercise to music class. Their contribution to the success of the Weigh-in is immense.
We are fortunate to have so many professionals who volunteer their services to the cause and we are indebted to the many people who give so generously their time, – Healthy Body Wealthy Mind with Marie O’ Sullivan, our wonderful participants, sponsors and all who contributed in any way to the success of this annual event, also to the Cullen Community Centre, Photographers, Seán Radley, John Tarrant, Phil O’Sullivan, The Corkman, Eily Buckley, C103 Cork.
The occasion is always a very pleasant and sociable one and is invariably enjoyed by everybody. Incidentally the first ever #weighin was held on Jan. 20th 1986 and in that period of time thousands of Euros have been raised through the generous sponsorship of our loyal and dedicated participants. At a time when there is so much media coverage relating to how charitable donations have been used or misused, we are pleased to be able to assure our supporters and sponsors that every cent and Euro sponsored or donated goes directly in to our funds and is presented to reps of the various centres where local children are educated and cared for.
Our sincere thanks for your continued support.
‘Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir’