'A home from home': Longford woman loves activities IWA provides

Irish Wheelchair Association's (IWA) annual fundraising day is taking place across Ireland on Thursday, September 24, including Longford.

Members, staff and volunteers will be hitting the streets collecting vital funds for the supports and activities IWA provides in Longford and across the country.

IWA has a strong presence in Longford, providing a range of education, social, recreation and personal development opportunities for people with disabilities.

IWA’s Longford Community Centre in Kenagh has weekly activities and classes with support from Longford Westmeath ETB, Longford Sports Partnership and a local volunteer Bernie Walshe who provides weekly jewellery, crochet craft classes. The organisation also has a local school leavers service based in Longford town.

IWA’s bus service supports people from across the county to get to the Kenagh centre each week, and they also plan regular trips together.

Samantha Thomsen has been a member of IWA for over ten years, attending the Community Centre in Kenagh, Longford, twice a week.

She said: “It’s a home from home really, do you know what I mean? We all get on and…it’s just nice to chat and put the world to rights sometimes and with people that understand.

“Our classes will be starting again this month, so we’ve got computer class and art class. I like them all and go with the flow. I’ve only got this. So, when I leave here during the week, I don’t see anybody until the following Monday apart from my husband. I don’t see anyone, I don’t go anywhere because he is working.”

IWA Longford will be collecting outside various stores & businesses in Ballymahon & Longford town including Aldi.

Noelle Gillen, Service Coordinator, IWA Longford said: “Our annual fundraising day only happens thanks to the generous time and support of local volunteers, businesses, our Longford branch committee and TY students from Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon. Their efforts are a huge support to all our members.”

IWA hopes to raise €40,000 to support the organisation’s work locally and across the country. Last year the organisation provided 87,080 days of community services through its 48 community centres and 17 outreach centres nationwide.

The organisation also delivered assisted living services in homes across the country and supported 19 IWA Sports Clubs, while its 142 accessible buses supported IWA-transport services.

IWA’s work nationwide is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in communities to live a life of choice and independence. The organisation relies on donations to develop, grow and continue to support its members who want to be active, social, independent and advocate for their rights.

Any donation big or small will be most gratefully received. If you can’t give on the day, you can donate any time on www.iwa.ie/donate.