Fundraising drive underway in Carndonagh for  wheelchair-accessible minibus

Carndonagh social enterprise Spraoi agus Spórt has launched a fundraising drive to buy a wheelchair-accessible minibus to provide essential transport services for individuals with disabilities. 

Older people, and others in the Inishowen peninsula for whom transport is a barrier to community participation, will also benefit from the minibus. The hope is that the vehicle will offer reliable and dependable transport for medical appointments, therapy sessions, recreational activities, and other trips. 

Ahead of Giving Tuesday on December 3, Spraoi agus Spórt is appealing to the public to donate.Spraoi agus Spórt CEO Helen Nolan said the minibus will be a lifeline for many. 

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“A wheelchair-accessible minibus will be a gamechanger. We must make it happen and are appealing to the public to support the cause. Every contribution will bring us closer to our €10,000 goal. Your donation, no matter the size, will have a significant impact on the lives of those who need especially the children and young people with disabilities in our community.”

For 14 years, Spraoi agus Spórt has provided accessible services to children, young people, and adults across Inishowen. 

In 2023 alone, it proudly served 94 children and young people with disabilities. However, due to financial constraints, the organisation could only provide transport for 10 of these individuals. 

Matthew Friel, 18, from Clonmany is one of the young people who has benefited greatly from the transport services of Spraoi agus Spórt. 

His mother Mamie said: “As a parent, I understand firsthand the difficulties and limitations my son faces because of his disability. Reliable and dependable transport options are a constant concern for us. The availability of a wheelchair-accessible minibus would bring us huge peace of mind and quite simply change our lives.”

Helen says a wheelchair-accessible minibus will extend essential support to many more families like Matthew’s. “If you believe, like we do, that everyone deserves access to reliable transport, please be part of our transformative journey. Your generosity will transform the lives of many people living in Inishowen and especially people with disabilities, helping them live more independent lives. Regular, reliable transport will reduce social isolation and enhance the overall quality of life for these individuals and their families. By achieving our goal of €10,000, it will ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity they deserve to thrive.”

Donations can be made online here.

Local businesses can also be part of the fundraising drive by partnering with Spraoi agus Spórt or making a donation. Interested businesses can contact Helen Nolan directly at helen@spraoiagussport.ie.

“We welcome hearing from businesses of any size who want to make a lasting difference. Together, we can build more inclusive communities across the Inishowen peninsula,” she said.