€4,000 Raised In Girls Memory 2010

The Committee of the Aoife Kennedy Memorial Fund expressed their thanks to all who helped raise over €4,000 at a bag pack in Tesco, Gorey.

“We would like to thank the general public and express our gratitude for their support and generosity and the total that will be handed over to the Cottage Autism Network (CAN), Wexford is €4,335 in memory of angels Aoife and Aine Kennedy.”

said Caroline.

The money raised will be used to help fund an Occupational Therapist to help autistic children who are linked with CAN, Wexford and children in St. Senan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy and Scoil Mhuire in Wexford.

The Aoife Kennedy Memorial Fund was set up by Caroline and Matt Kennedy following the death of their daughter, Aoife in a traffic accident on Main Street, Carnew in November 2006 – when she was only five and a half years old. Tragically in April 2010 Aoife’s sister Aine died within 36 hours of contracting suspected septicaemia. Aine was also aged five and a half.

The Fund has been carrying out superb work for children throughout Wexford in the past number of years.

“We funded a transport ventilator with the help of the Baby Max Foundation the year after Aine’s death which has since saved the lives of many young babies to date.”

said Caroline.

In October 2009, the proceeds of a Halloween Ball helped put Occupational Therapist (OT) equipment in place in St. Senan’s Primary School for autistic children and in 2010, they are helping with the funding for an OT for these children as there is no funding available from the government.

“Parents and members of CAN have to raise funds to hire an OT privately to help these children through school and into mainstream education. To date Wexford has the highest success rate of doing this with help from the schools and parents.”

said Caroline.

As well as thanking the public for giving so generously, Caroline and Matt thanked those who helped out with the bag packing:

“We wish to say a huge thank you to the 38 people who helped us out over the two days. These people were not just parents of autistic children but from all walks of life. We received help from CAN members, Special Needs Assistant teachers, businesses in Gorey – especially from the Echo newspaper – and family and friends.”

said Caroline.

The Kennedys also thanked the staff and management of Tesco, Gorey for their help and allowing the bag pack on the premises:

“The girls on the checkouts were very welcoming and made us feel part of the store.”

said Caroline.