25 August 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
The Down Syndrome Centre Cork is the latest winner of the Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award. The Forge Hill based facility was established in 2014 and provides vital intervention services to young children with Down syndrome and their families.
Approximately 110 babies are born with Down syndrome in Ireland every year, it’s a lifelong condition which increases the risk of certain health issues.
Gerald McCarthy (Awards & Gifts) presenting Lisa Donovan: Manager, Down Syndrome Centre, Forge House, Cork with the Community Spirit Award. Pictured with Eoghan Murphy: General Manager, Cork International Hotel, alongside Nicola Radley: Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council, next to Christina Elliott & her daughter Kerrie & Katie Desmond (wife of Cian Desmond, Chairperson of the Board of Management) with her children Luke, Adam & Freya Desmond. Photo Siobhán Russell
The Down Syndrome Centre Cork relies entirely on fundraising to deliver occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, early intervention programmes as well as parent and baby classes. It also runs events for siblings and networking events for parents.
In June, more than 300 people ran and walked 21km from Haulbowline to Pairc Úi Chaoimh to raise funds for the charity. Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21 which is why the half marathon distance was chosen.
General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Eoghan Murphy said, “The Down Syndrome Centre Cork is an incredible charity that was set up by a group of parents. They have created a home-from-home atmosphere where families feel relaxed and the children can thrive. It is so important to have a welcoming community where families can share their experiences and support each other. The charity also provides invaluable early intervention programmes with growing numbers of families needing these services. However, the centre relies entirely on donations and fundraising to be able to do so. The fact that it is so successful is a testament to the centre, the families and their supporters and their fundraising efforts over the last eight years. They are very worthy winners of this Community Spirit Award.”
Among the services provided by the Down Syndrome Centre Cork is the Special Kids Intervention Programme (SKIP) for children aged 0 to 5 years old. It’s play-based and targets all areas of a child’s development including speech and language, fine motor skills and social skills. It aims to prepare a child with Down syndrome to go to mainstream school at the end of the programme.
The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Awards are sponsored by The Carrigdhoun Newspaper and Gerald McCarthy Giftware.
The judging panel for the Community Spirit Awards are made up of a mixture of representatives from the public and private sector within the community.
The judging panel for this award was:
- Carmel Lonergan Group Director of Operations, Trigon Hotels
- Nicola Radley Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council
- Aisling Killilea Bank of Ireland Manager Carrigaline and Douglas
- Vincent O’Donovan Carrigdhoun