Journey: Kilmoney Stores (Carrigaline) -> Shine Centre for Autism (Carrigaline)
Distance: 2.57M / 4.14KM
Total Distance:49.79M / 80.14KM
Harry set off to Carrigaline today and a cycle to the Shine Centre for Autism, one of the key beneficiaries of this campaign. Shine have been incredible to us as a family, from the point of Harry’s diagnosis, they provided support to both myself and Martina long before Harry set foot in Shine.
It’s fair to say the process to get your child a place in a special unit in any school is hugely stressful and whilst this was no exception, the fabulous work, structures and support provided by Grace, Kieran, Sara, Alma & all the team there to both Harry & ourselves was evident in spades. The transformation in Harry in one year at Shine was huge and it positioned him well in moving to Sonas for the remaining years of his early intervention. As a family we are hugely indebted to Shine and thank them sincerely for what they have done for our little boy.
Harry set off from Kilmoney Stores today and again accompanied by Chloe, they cycled through Carrigaline village and onto Shine where they were greeted by all the staff. The children in Shine were all graduating today, so it was fitting to arrive there on their last day and have an opportunity to once again meet and thank the staff. Harry received a huge welcome on arrival and was presented with some lovely gifts for his bike including a fabulous framed caricature of Harry on the bike. Thank you guys for your lovely words and gifts today, we are so glad you are one of the beneficiaries of this campaign.
Tomorrow will be a special day for Harry. He visits Clonakilty and the Railway Village, where he is guest of honour for a planned cycle with the Bike Circus team around the town. In 2018, Clonakilty became the first Autism friendly town in Ireland and along with Scally’s Supervalu, they do fabulous work in helping to raise awareness and understanding of Autism in communities and towns across Ireland. Harry will start tomorrow’s cycle from Croppy Park at approx. 11:00am and will finish at the Railway Village, who recently opened a new sensory garden late last year. To say he was excited going to bed tonight was an understatement and he looks forward to seeing the people of Clonakilty tomorrow.
A final thank you to Janet Farley in Ringcurran for her kind gifts to the kids for their bikes this evening, thank you so much!