The Camino for DS Cork raises €138,000 for Field of Dreams

Last September, a group of 36 family members, relatives and friends of Down Syndrome Cork embarked on a Camino adventure to raise much-needed funds, ultimately raising a whopping €137,847.

The amount raised exceeded the wildest dreams of organisers and Debbie Kelleher of Cork Down Syndrome Field of Dreams told The Echo that Down Syndrome Cork was “beyond grateful to our 36 walkers who joined the Camino adventure”.

“The whole event has been over a year in the making, with many fundraisers organised across Cork and beyond by the walkers and their families and friends,” she said.

“The DSI (Down Syndrome Ireland) slogan ‘Share the Journey’ was certainly embraced by all. Many of the walkers gathered weekly to do practice walks across every corner of the county.

“All walkers paid their own trips and expenses to the Camino in northern Spain and therefore all funds raised go directly towards Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams.”

Ms Kelleher added that some of the funds raised will significantly support Down Syndrome Cork’s project of moving all the therapy and administration services to its Field of Dreams site in Curraheen.

A Valentine’s Camino celebration day was held on Saturday, February 14, at the Field of Dreams, where walkers and their families came together to celebrate the success of their fundraising, she added.

“We have all made lovely new friends, shared many laughs and the odd tear and will have lifelong memories.

“We especially want to thank all the non-parent walkers who gave of their time so generously to support DS Cork,” Ms Kelleher said.

“We want to thank our hugely generous, sponsors and communities who turned out in their droves for coffee mornings, golf events, concerts, community walks and many more.

“The Camino for DS Cork Field of Dreams has not just raised an amazing amount of funds, but also helped to raise awareness of Down syndrome in our communities and beyond. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Built on a three-acre horticultural site on the Clash Road in Curraheen, the DS Cork Field of Dreams was first established in 2017 to meet the ongoing educational needs of adults with Down syndrome from across Cork city and county.

Developed by the Cork branch of DSI, the project focuses on providing days for its students that are productive, busy, meaningful, and full of fun, offering literacy and technology skills, ready-to-work training, and horticultural and cooking skills.

The vision of Field of Dreams is to provide adults with Down syndrome opportunities for ongoing learning and growth.

For some people, this will help them to move towards a life of greater independence and self-reliance, and, for others, it will help them towards paid work.

For further information, see downsyndrome cork.ie.