A chance to ‘Win a House’ in Cork and aid vital services for children

A BRAND new house is on offer for one lucky winner of a draw being held to help complete Enable Ireland’s children’s centre at Curraheen in Cork.

The centre provides a wide range of services for more than 1,500 children with physical/sensory disabilities and their families living in Cork city and county.

To raise funds for it, Enable Ireland has launched a draw for a three- bedroom end-of-terrace house in Astra Construction’s Janeville development in Carrigaline, valued at €350,000.

‘Win A House Cork’ has the support of the Clarke family from Newcestown. It is no surprise that Adam Clarke, aged seven, got involved in the initiative for Enable Ireland, where he has been receiving life-changing services, the best of care and support, and where he has made life-long friends whom he adores.

“Adam has made huge gains attending Enable Ireland, improving personally and he is progressing in every way,” says Adam’s mum, Therese, who is also mum to Ned and Hannah.

Adam is going places.

“He walked into school for the first time since he took part in The Echo Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon, raising €15,000 for Enable Ireland,” says Therese.

“Adjustments were made to his Kaye walker, to the seat and the belt. The positioning of the weight of the seat helped him hugely.”

There is no stopping Adam, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, and since, more specifically, Triplegic cerebral palsy, that affects three of his limbs, both legs and upper right side.

“He walked into the barber’s to get his hair cut as well!” says Therese.

Adam has benefited greatly from the early intervention services provided by Enable Ireland-occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, paediatrician advice, pre-school and orthopaedic, with access to the child psychologist.

“We are delighted to help support and raise awareness of this exciting fundraiser; ‘Win a House’,” says Therese.

The Clarkes have a name on their own house.

“We call it an ‘enabalised’ house!” says Therese laughing.

Enable Ireland is a second home for Adam, where he has thrived.

"He has outgrown his power wheelchair, ‘Ted’, and progressed to his ‘Micky Mouse’ wheelchair,” says Therese.

Adam doesn’t hang about.

“He loves riding his scooter and his trike,” says Therese.

The boy has come a long way.

Adam has been under the care of the early intervention team at Enable Ireland since April, 2017. 

"Thanks to Enable Ireland, Adam has thrived. We are so lucky to have Enable Ireland in our corner.”

Adam is a ‘can do’ kind of guy.

“He has learnt that he ‘can too’- just differently,” says Therese.

“He knows that he has a place in the world, like everyone else.”

Adam had a hard start when he came into the world.

“He was in the neonatal unit for 15 days and I was there all day, every day,” says Therese.

“He was tube fed the first few days and he was on antibiotics.”

Then mum took over.

“I decided to breastfeed Adam. I said, ‘let’s do this’, and he thrived from the start.”

Adam availed of the vital services Enable Ireland provides.

“The physiotherapist, the occupational therapist, the psychologist and the paediatrician, were all at the initial meeting with us,” says Therese.

It was all very inclusive, with Adam being the main man. It’s all about the child, the right service and the right time.

The time was right from the get-go.

“Initially, we attended The Lavanagh Centre in Blackrock and then to the new Enable Ireland Centre at Curraheen,” says Therese.

Adam, reaching his full potential, is amazing.

“Our three kids are amazing,” says Therese.

Enable Ireland is amazing too.

“We can never thank them enough,” says Therese.

“We are very lucky. Adam is so responsive. He took everything on board and did it.”

People can get on board and support Enable Ireland and purchase a €100 ticket for ‘Win a House’.

“The goal of the campaign is to finally complete the funding of the children’s centre in Cork, benefitting children for generations to come.

The raffle is scheduled to be held just before Easter, on Friday, March 22, 2024.

“Fundraising contributes to the spread of so many services,” says Therese.

“A ticket for ‘Win A House’ would provide a fantastic Christmas present for someone.”

All Adam’s Christamases came together attending Enable Ireland.

“He goes in every day with a smile on his face!”

And there will be a winning smile on the face of the lucky winner who will win a stunning new house in Carrigaline, together with a €5,000 voucher sponsored by Right Price Tiles and Wood Flooring along with a €5,000 voucher sponsored by EZ Living Interiors Ltd.

There’s a limit of 10,000 entries, so don’t delay! Tickets are available from www.winahousecork.ie

Speaking about the appeal for the public’s support, Enable Ireland Director of Service Gillian Darrer spoke of the importance of completing the centre in Curraheen.

“The services we provide from our centre in Curraheen are essential to the children who rely on them,” says Gillian.

Completing the funding for this centre means we can continue to support services for the next generation of children.

Supporting ‘Win a House’ will offer children the opportunity to thrive and progress just like Adam Clarke does.

The seven acre site in Curraheen includes a children’s service centre with assessment and treatment facilities, a hydrotherapy pool, meeting rooms, preschool supports, an accessible playground and family facilities.

Also on the site is Lavanagh House, a children’s respite house where children with disabilities can develop their independence skills while giving their families a break.

Tickets can also be purchased by calling the fundraising team on 087-7905029 or emailing hello@winahousecork.ie