All About Cork: Dogs for Disabled charity to raise €500k for new home

More than €10,000 has been raised to help Dogs for the Disabled build their new national training centre and headquarters in Cork city.

The local charity has organised a GoFundMe to raise funds.

Work has begun to turn a derelict property in Togher into the charity’s new HQ, but €500,000 will be required.

Dogs for the Disabled said: “We need your help. Work has begun to transform our derelict property and turn our dream into a reality.

“Together, we can achieve amazing things, but we need you to be a part of our journey. Help us to help them.

“Since our creation in 2007, Dogs for the Disabled have saved and saved, whilst searching for the perfect place we could call home.”

The charity required a headquarters close to the city, that was easily accessible and that had enough room for privacy.

The local charity said its new home will allow them to breed, train, and gift more of their life-changing assistance dogs to those who need them the most.

Each dog is meticulously trained to perform tasks that enable their human partners to navigate the world more easily.

From opening doors and fetching dropped items to providing mobility and therapeutic support, the charity’s dogs are simply life-changing.

Dogs for the Disabled is a non-profit organisation with no government funding, dedicated to training and providing assistance dogs, free of charge, to children and adults with physical disabilities.

“By contributing to our fundraiser, you are directly impacting the lives of people with disabilities,” the charity said.

“Every euro counts. Visit our donation page and give what you can.”

The charity also encouraged people to share their mission with friends and family, and/or organise fundraisers or volunteer with them.

“Together, we can change lives, one dog at a time.

“Help us reach our goal of €500,000 and make a profound difference for individuals with disabilities.”

To donate, search ‘Help Dogs for Disabled’s Operation Restoration’ on GoFundMe.

Ma Dullea’s bar sponsors new gear bags for Celtic FC

Ballyphehane Celtic’s new gear bags will be sponsored by Ma Dullea’s bar. The local soccer club said: “Big Thanks to Ma Dullea’s Bar! Ballyphehane Celtic FC is thrilled to announce a generous sponsorship from Ma Dullea’s, providing new gear bags for the squad.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rita and everyone at Ma Dullea’s for their support. Local businesses, like Ma Dullea’s, play a massive role in helping clubs like ours grow and thrive,” the club added.

“Their support means the world to us and helps the team represent Ballyphehane with pride.”

Community preparing for Togher Markets

Organisations across the community are busy preparing for two Togher markets before Christmas.

The markets will be held at St Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club today (Wednesday, November 20) and Wednesday, December 11, from 6pm to 8pm, with coffee, crafts, food and entertainment. For more, visit Togher Market’s Facebook Page.

College awareness week at local secondary school

College awareness week is under way at Coláiste Éamann Rís, with the local secondary school highlighting third-level opportunities for students.

The school is hosting guest speakers and information sessions throughout the week, and will cap it all off with a career day on Friday.

Local GAA club raising funds for sepsis charity

Players and club members from Ballyphehane GAA will climb Carrauntoohil at the end of this month to raise funds for the Irish Sepsis Foundation. To donate, go to the Ballyphehane GAA Facebook page.

Local teen bravery award

A local teenager was among nine Leesiders who were honoured at the National Bravery Awards. Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl presented 23 National Bravery Awards to people who risked their lives to aid others.

David Akar, 15, from Cork, was recognised for the rescue and attempted rescue of two friends from the sea at Passage West in August 2023.

The local teen, who was just shy of his 14th birthday, safely rescued one boy, and attempted to recover another, after a strong current had pulled them away from their group while swimming.

Despite his efforts, the second boy, Jack O’Sullivan, 14, lost his life — but David was awarded both a gold medal and a certificate of bravery. “I’m honoured, I’m delighted to be able to say I dedicate this award to Jack O’Sullivan and his family,” he said. “It’s bittersweet, it’s a good thing to get the award, but it was a very bad situation. I’ll definitely pay a visit to Jack’s family, to share the moment with them.”

Greenhouse opened at community centre

A new greenhouse at Ballyphehane Community Centre was opened in recent weeks.

Deputising for the lord mayor, local city councillor Seán Martin called into the local community centre to cut the ribbon.

Management at the local centre thanked Mr Martin, Cork City Council, and Cork Education and Training Board for their support in the initiative.

They also revealed that free horticulture classes will be taking place at the greenhouse in February next year.

“We’d be delighted to welcome you to our greenhouse for classes,” they said.

“We’re massively grateful to those who helped out from Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project and the Cork City Partnership, as well as all participants of the class!”

Call for ‘mindful’ use of posters

With the general election fast approaching, calls have been made for candidates to be mindful when placing posters in the local area.

In a statement, Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said: “We’re very thankful for the support of candidates, following our recent email, requesting their cooperation with their general-election posters.

“We have encountered some posters on roundabouts and hanging low on corners of traffic intersections that we request are repositioned immediately.

“We do not wish to ban or impose strict restrictions on election posters here, as we believe they play an important role in the democratic process, especially for those who rely on visual cues, like a candidate’s face, and those who do not access digital media,” the group added.

“We’re also aware that a ban on election postering can potentially impact voter turnout, which is not our goal.”

The local Tidy Towns group asked candidates to be mindful of poster placement and volume.

“We’ve respectfully requested that candidates avoid placing repetitive posters on every pole along a single street, as this can result in visual clutter,” they said.

“You’ve lovely faces, but we don’t need to see it on 50 poles along Connolly Road or elsewhere.”

Have Ballyphehane news to share? Contact darraghberminghamecho@gmail.com.