03

Aug

2021

Dublin GAA football manager Dessie Farrell turns the sod at Project Eden, Cabra, Dublin watched by Tommy O’Reilly, “Project Eden” Committee; Cian Byrne; Simone Kennedy from Kevin Fitzpatrick Landscape Architecture Ltd; and Andy Byrne from Avara Landscape Ltd.

 

Dublin football manager Dessie Farrell ‘turned the sod’ at a ceremony for Respect’s “Project Eden” in Cabra, Dublin, marking the commencement of work on the new accessible outdoor children’s sensory and play garden at the Development Education Centre (DEC) located at St Vincent’s Centre, Navan Road, Dublin 7.

Once completed, the garden will be enjoyed by the 32 children who have severe intellectual disabilities that attend the service. It will afford each child the opportunity to participate in creative play, gardening as well as outdoor physio sessions.

The space was designed by Simone Kennedy, Kevin Fitzpatrick Landscape Architecture Ltd, and work will be completed by Cormac Barry and the team from Avara Landscapes Ltd.  The sensory garden is designed to support the development of core skills, such as movement, communication, sensory development, and hand function while providing an environment for graduated challenges that facilitates independent use.

The total cost for the project is €180,000, and fundraising is still ongoing, so RESPECT is calling on the public to show their support by making a donation online via JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/campaign/project-eden or via RESPECT’s website, www.respect.ie.

There is also a host of fantastic experiences up for auction to raise funds for Project Eden, including a GAA training masterclass with Dessie Farrell or Sean Boylan, or tickets for the 2021 Ryder Cup, to name but a few.

A “Project Eden” prize draw is also being arranged with tickets priced at just €20 each, and there is a great selection of prizes up for grabs, including leisure breaks, gift vouchers and much more! Log onto https://app.galabid.com/projecteden/category/0e473a52-9570-4d43-818b-4c4f1c18f5b5 for full details on the auctions and prize draw.

Speaking at the turning of the sod ceremony, Sister Zoe Killeen, Director, RESPECT, said, “We are delighted that work is commencing on this new outdoor sensory and play garden for the children. This new space will really make a difference to the lives of the children who attend the service when they return in September, so we are calling on all our supporters and friends to help us to raise the vital funds required to complete this exciting project.”

RESPECT supports people of all ages within the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services by improving their surroundings and allowing them to be more independent. The service is ultimately about helping people improve their quality of life and reach their full potential.

For further details on “Project Eden” and the development plans, visit www.respect.ie or contact RESPECT on 01 685 6502.

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