Last Friday, Galway Autism Partnership (GAP ) welcomed a very special visitor to GAP House as Thomas Byrne and his family called in to celebrate the remarkable success of a fundraising initiative that has captured hearts across the community.
Thomas recently launched a GoFundMe campaign in aid of GAP, setting an initial target of €1,000. In a testament to the goodwill surrounding both Thomas and the organisation, the fundraiser has now raised almost €4,000 — an extraordinary achievement that far exceeded expectations.
From the moment he arrived, Thomas brought warmth and infectious energy to GAP House. He eagerly explored the building, dashed through the garden and made a beeline for the sensory room. There was also a happy reunion with Sabina, the Art Facilitator he got to know well during the clubs he attended at GAP when he was younger. Staff said his visit brought a welcome “feel-good factor” at the end of a busy week.
Speaking during the visit, Thomas’s mother Rebecca explained that the fundraising idea was entirely his own. “He wanted to give something back,” she said, describing how important GAP has been to their family over the years.
Rebecca reflected on the challenges they faced when Thomas was younger and credited GAP with providing a space where he felt truly accepted. “It was somewhere he belonged,” she said. “As a mam, knowing he was safe and welcome meant everything.”
Thomas himself spoke candidly about why supporting GAP matters to him. “I will always be autistic, ADHD and dyslexic, so I need a good home for my teenage years and early adulthood,” he said — a powerful reminder of the long-term importance of inclusive community spaces.
Rebecca also highlighted how the support from GAP provided valuable respite for the family and allowed her time to focus on Thomas’s brother, Tony. She paid tribute to the family’s GP, Dr Martina Killeen, for her ongoing care and support.
After time spent chatting, playing and taking photographs, staff said goodbye to Thomas and his family, expressing heartfelt thanks for his generosity and spirit.
GAP looks forward to welcoming Thomas back to camps and clubs in the near future, continuing to be the safe and supportive space he values so deeply.
Those who wish to support Thomas’s initiative can contribute via his GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/its-time-to-give-backx
