Network Ireland Kildare Branch Charity Lunch in aid of Saplings School for children with autism

Last year they raised €25,568 for The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland

Network Ireland was established in 1983 and is a progressive, dynamic organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women.

In Kildare we are a vibrant and active branch of Network Ireland with over 130 members.

They organise a range of events throughout the year and our Annual Charity Lunch in November is a very popular event with both our members and local businesses. 

Last year they raised €25,568 for The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland in aid of the Kildangan Daycare Centre in Kildangan, Co Kildare.

They are delighted that Saplings School in Kill Co Kildare is our charity partner for 2024. 

This year we will hold our annual charity partners lunch in aid of Saplings in Lawlors Hotel, Naas on Friday, November 29.

Guests can look forward to Drinks reception, three course meal with wine, Guest speakers, a Diamond Raffle, Raffle, exciting Auction and Entertainment.

Tickets are still available, if you would like to attend contact kildare@networkireland.ie for booking link. You can also support by donating an Auction prize or Raffle prize. 

Saplings Special School for Children with Autism and Complex Needs, Kill, is a co-educational autism specific special school, providing high quality education for pupils with autism and complex needs.

The school offers child-centred, autism specific education which draws on a range of evidence-based interventions.

There are currently 30 students attending the school between the ages of 5 and 18. All students have a primary diagnosis of autism and a secondary diagnosis of a mild, moderate, or severe/profound learning disability.

Some of the students also have another diagnosis such as epilepsy, ADHD, ADD etc. Saplings School is one of only thirteen schools in Ireland with a full time Behaviour Analyst on staff.

They aim to provide high quality educational support to students with a diagnosis of autism, assisting them to achieve their full potential and participate in their family and community life, through the provision of holistic evidence-based services, celebrating each individual’s dignity, uniqueness and right to an optimal education.

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President of Network Ireland Kildare Branch Anita Meenehan said: “The fund-raising efforts by Network Ireland Kildare will be for a resource like an outdoor shelter which would be an ideal addition to the outdoor space in Saplings. This would allow students to spend time outside regardless of the weather and ensure children get to spend as much time outside for movement breaks. It would be for the children to avail of learning opportunities outside all year round.

"Development of the outdoor area would also include a sandpit and improvements to the wall railing surrounding Saplings to keep the children safe. As Chair of the committee I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved. From the committee members who work so hard to make this event a success, our VIP guests who helped share the message of support, our sponsors and of course everyone that booked tables and contributed so generously towards the raffles on the day. The lunch which anticipates to be a sellout, demonstrates the passion and loyalty of so many supporters in the community and emphasises on community spirit and kindness. Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you all on the day.”