A NORTHSIDE woman found herself in the spotlight when she won an award on a TV3 programme.
Young Katie Curran, from Raheny, nominated Orla Crowe for the Local Legend award on Ireland AM.
On July 3, Noel Cunningham, from TV3, visited Orla at Cara Hall to see the work she does for the charity she co-founded with Auveen Bell in May 2010.
The two mothers Orla and Auveen set up Blossom Ireland with the passionate belief that their children with intellectual disabilities deserve the same opportunities as all children.
Its aim is to go some way towards filling the gap between the available public services and the actual needs of the child and their families.
Currently Blossom Ireland provides dedicated, therapy led summer camps for children with intellectual disabilities aged between eight and 12 years. It also provides respite care to families with children with intellectual disabilities by providing safe, secure, fun and stimulating activities for the children during out of school hours.
Katie nominated Orla for her huge commitment to Blossom Ireland, which has made a big impact in the community in a very short space of time.
Orla, who works very hard in the local community, has had to face her own difficulties in recent times. The Raheny mum is a year in remission from breast cancer. In her interview with Mr Cunningham, she said she got through it all thanks to the help she received from her family, friends, neighbours and the kindness of people in the Raheny area.