An Armagh woman who is currently raising funds to support her volunteering work at the Special Olympics this year has added £430 to the pot following a craft fair at Armagh City Hotel.
Niamh Withers has already raised £2,243, but says there are still plenty of fundraising events to come, as she is just shy of her final target of £3,179.
She will be heading to the 2023 Special Olympics – which are set to take place in Berlin from June 17 to 25 – in support of Clady girl Dearbhail, who is set to compete in the Games.
The fair at the Armagh City Hotel took place earlier this month, where Niamh held a stall to boost her fundraising efforts.
Niamh explained: “It is 20 years this June since the Special Olympics World Summer Games were in Dublin. As part of the host town programme, Armagh was host for Team Australia and the City Hotel had the team and coaches staying with them for a week leading up to the Games.”
She added: “Cheryl Patterson at the hotel said they would have a voluntary £1 entry fee in aid of my fundraising, which raised £280 on the day.
“I collected another £150 with a quiz sheet called ‘Who or What am I?’ and prizes were given out from a selection of toys, vouchers and gift sets, which were donated by a number of people.”
On February 28, Niamh held a ‘Coffee and A Bun Day’ at Cafe Olympus, where she raised £600.
For Niamh’s next fundraising effort, she will be working with Healing Arts NI, who are running a Lego Workshop at Dobbin Street in Armagh on Saturday, March 25 from 1pm-2.30pm.
The Lego/Nutritional Workshop is running with the help and support of STEM Ambassador Programme Manager Dr Anna Monaghan.
Young people from 5 to 6+ will improve confidence, build motor skills and use STEM to help create the Special Olympics themed Lego models, which will include the 12 sports in which Team Ireland are competing.
Their knowledge will also be tested around sugar content and the history of the Berlin Olympic Stadium, with there being prizes for the best Lego model.
To register for the event, book on Facebook here, or email Melissa at healingartsni@gmail.com.
Read more: Niamh to host ‘Coffee and A Bun Day’ in fundraising bid for Berlin Special Olympics 2023
