Claddagh School launches fundraising CD

Children from the Claddagh National School pictured with Principal, Brendan Forde, and teachers, Maureen Browne and Elaine Barrett, at the launch of the school's fundraising CD on Friday, 13th November.

By Richie Mccarthy

Taking an innovative approach to the crisis in educational funding, pupils and staff at the Claddagh National School have decided to sing for their desperately-needed services.

Recorded in the school, an album featuring a range of songs was launched in the school hall on Friday, November 13. The aim is to raise much-needed funds for speech and language therapy (SLT) and occupational therapy (OT) for the children in the school.

Parents, children, teachers, and other members of the school community joined together to support the launch, which featured some of the tracks from the album performed live by the school choir.

School principal, Mr Brendan Forde who added his voice to a number of the tracks, explained that a severe funding shortfall and the expense of private therapy means many children who desperately need SLT or OT are being neglected: “The provision of SLT and OT is very inadequate and private lessons are very costly, falling far outside the reach of most parents, especially in these difficult economic times. We hope that our fundraising campaign will go some way towards the provision of these much-needed services for children who desperately need them. Every CD sold will make a difference,” he said.

As well as children in the mainstream with speech and language and occupational therapy needs, the school will use a portion of the funds raised specifically to help children with autism.

“Our school has a well-established reputation for educating children with autism – there are currently four specialist classes in our dedicated autism unit. We will be particularly aiming to assist the SLT and OT needs of children with autism with the money raised from sales of the CD,” explained Mr Forde.

The Claddagh National School album is available from the school. For further information phone 091 586173 or e-mail claddaghns@eircom.net

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