All About Cork: Rainbow Club needs its own premises, says councillor

A local charity is seeking people to join their fundraising committee, to help raise funds for its vital work in the community.

The Rainbow Club relies heavily on fund-raising initiatives to continue to be able to offer services to around 1,300 children and young people with autism and their families every week.

The Mahon-based charity organises, takes part in, and benefits from dozens of fundraisers throughout the calendar year but, with rising costs and demand for its services, it is always in need of more funding.

“Would you like to join an emetic positive and growing organisation to help support autistic people and their families?” a spokesperson for the charity asked.

“Do you have some spare time you could give?

“We would love to have you on our team!”

Those interested in getting involved are asked to contact the Rainbow Club by emailing emma@rainbowclub.ie.

Meanwhile, the former Lord Mayor of Cork city, councillor Kieran McCarthy, paid a visit to the charity in recent days to show his continued support for their work and their desire to establish their very own premises.

The Rainbow Club caters for around 1,300 children and young people with autism and their families every week.

The local charity was told in October, 2021, that work was underway to find them a permanent home.

However, the Rainbow Club is still waiting to find a place of its own, which would allow it to apply for additional funding streams and grants.

“He [Councillor McCarthy] met with staff and customers in the cafe and it was so nice to thank him for his ongoing support to us over the many years, but also this year as Lord Mayor,” a spokesperson for the charity stated.

“We were delighted to receive funds from his charity ball which helped us hugely in supporting our young people.”

Speaking to The Echo after his visit, Mr McCarthy highlighted the great work carried out by the Rainbow Club and reiterated the need for a permanent home for the local charity.

“My visit built on my support as Lord Mayor during the last year and in particular nominating the club as one of my charities for my ball,” he said.

“Really great credit is due to Karen and Jon and the whole team. The work and services provided are really impressive.

“It’s a big operation so support is very important,” he added.

“The next step now is to make sure support remains and intensifies to get premises across the line for their headquarters.”

Primary school pupils have ‘fantastic time’ at UCC

Pupils from a primary school paid a visit to University College Cork (UCC) last week as part of an initiative to widen participation in third level education.

Professor Fluffy is a model designed by the University of Liverpool to widen participation in third-level education in disadvantaged areas.

The approach aims, with primary school teachers in Cork city DEIS schools, to inform primary school children in fifth class about the educational opportunities available to them.

The programme uses the Professor Fluffy and Friends characters to raise awareness of the impact of education on improving career and life opportunities and fosters an understanding of the concept of choice.

As part of the programme, fifth class pupils from Scoil na Croise Naofa visited UCC.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Fifth class had a fantastic time in UCC as part of the Professor Fluffy programme.

“Our student ambassadors brought us to the Boole lecture theatres, the library, the student hub and the restaurant.

“It was fantastic to see all UCC had to offer and how accessible it is to everyone.

“Some of our parents came along and were treated to their very own tour as well as an information talk with UCC’s access officer,” they added.

“Fifth class received their certificates and graduated just off the famous quad.”

Tidy towns cemetery clean-up

Volunteers from Mahon Tidy Towns were busy on Wednesday evening.

They cleaned up the area surrounding St
Michael’s Cemetery ahead of the annual mass of remembrance at the graveyard.

Bus to Youghal

Cork City Partnership is running a free return bus from Mahon to Youghal next week.

The bus will leave from Nagle Community College at 10am and return at 5pm on Monday, July 1.

Booking is essential, and all children will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To secure a place, people are asked to contact Michelle Keane on 083-3719456.

Community garden visit

Pupils from a local primary school enjoyed a visit to a local community garden in recent days.

First class pupils from Scoil na Croise Naofa got their hands dirty, watering plants and weeding at Mahon Community Garden last week.

In a statement issued last week, the local primary school praised the pupils for getting stuck in and said they enjoyed the warm weather and visit to the local garden.

“First class pupils had a wonderful time in Mahon Community Garden today,” the statement said.

“In the most beautiful sunshine, they worked hard watering and weeding.”

Have Mahon and Blackrock news to share? Contact Darragh.bermingham@theecho.ie