MEMBERS of the Lucan Hedgehogs Special Olympics Club were blessed with a beautiful spring evening last Wednesday week (29th April) for a walk through Lucan Demesne. Athletes from the Hedgehogs were joined, by parents, carers and volunteers, as well as by members of the Youth Venture Project and students from Ballymun Community College.
The walk through the demesne was just the latest initiative between the local Special Olympics Club and the Youth Venture Project, who also run projects involving young people from Ballymun. "One of our parents, Damien Richards, is a sergeant in the Reserve Defence Forces and he is our link with YVP, " explained Lucan Hedgehogs Chairman, Paul O'Farrell.
"Recently, we went for a hike with them to the Glen of Imaal and we established a connection.
"They said that they wanted to do something else with us, something different from the basketball, so we suggested a walk in Lucan.
The groups, which totalled approximately 80 people, gathered at the car-park at Lucan Demesne shortly before 7pm last Wednesday week and set off on a 90-minute walk. One group went as far as St Catherine's and back, while, another emerged at the Clonee Road and returned to the departure point via Laraghcon and the village. The participants then crossed the road to McDonald's for a well deserved feast.
Mr O'Farrell thanked Annette Healy and Ray Barnes for organising the walk, as well as Michael Gilmartin and the Lions Club for sponsoring the food at McDonald's and the manager and staff in the restaurant for "being so helpful and accommodating".
On the 9th and 10th May, members of the Lucan Hedgehogs basketball team are participating in the Special Olympics Ireland Eastern Regional Games in DCU. "This competition leads into next year's national Special Olympics Games which are being held in Limerick," said Mr O'Farrell.
He stated that the Hedgehogs hope to work with both the Reserve Defence Forces and Youth Venture Project on future events and initiatives.
by Ciaran McCabe, Liffey Champion, May 9th 2009
- More Photographs from this event are available in the Gallery.
