Aura helps raise money for Special Olympics Ireland

News released: 24th July 2009

There were celebrations and smiles all round at Aura Dundalk Leisure Centre last week as the staff of Aura Dundalk and the staff of Bank Of Scotland Halifax presented a cheque for €500 to the Dundalk Special Olympics fund.

Bank of Scotland Halifax was just one of the many donors who pledged money to the Aura Special Olympics fundraiser which took place at Aura Dundalk on April 24th last.

The €500 cheque which was donated by Bank of Scotland Halifax in support of the Aura fundraiser is the first of many cheques and donations which were collected at the fundraiser to be presented to the Dundalk Special Olympics Fund.

The Fundraiser was held in Aura’s state-of-the-art centre, which includes a 25-metre eight-lane pool, sauna and steam room, fitness suite, and gym. The money was raised on the day through a combination of different fundraising activities and events which included a swimathon, spinathon and a coffee morning.

“The response we got from the people of Dundalk was fantastic, everyone really got involved and supported the fundraiser,” explained Josephine Pepper, Operations Manager at Aura Dundalk Leisure Centre.

“All of the money raised will help to change the lives of people with an intellectual disability. There are 35,000 people with an intellectual disability in Ireland but only 10,699 of them are Special Olympics athletes. The money that was raised will go towards providing sports training and competition for all those athletes and towards reaching out to those people not already involved. It will also be used to recruit and train volunteers to help assist the athletes and to develop new clubs,” she explained.

“We are thrilled that so many local people came out and showed their support. Children, parents, companies, organisations and people from all over the area demonstrated their generosity and sporting spirit by taking part in the various activities on the day. That is exactly what we wanted to achieve, a local fundraiser that encouraged everyone to participate and enjoy our commitment to fun, fitness and health, while also making a difference to a very worthy cause. The money donated by Bank of Scotland Halifax is just one of the many donations that was pledged, the total amount that was raised on the day was €3, 111,” she added.

Aura Dundalk is also reminding parents that they are still taking enrolments for the ‘Intensive Swim’ lessons. These classes cater for children of all levels and abilities. Children are assessed at the beginning of each course and are put into classes based on their ability and not their age, that way they can progress alongside children who are of the same standard.

The week long classes will run throughout the course of the summer with lessons taking place from 10. a.m. to 10.45. a.m. each day. Classes cost €50 (€40 for the four day camp) with a 10% discount for members.

Further information about the ‘Intensive Swim Lessons’ or any of the other programmes that are taking place at the centre, contact reception on 042 9336230.