A BLANCHARDSTOWN-BASED play therapy group for children with special needs has received a welcome cash boost of over
?¬5,000 thanks to the Crossbar Trust Charity.
Blossom Play Therapy was presented with a cheque for
?¬5,250 on Saturday, November 1, in the Grasshopper Inn, Clonee, Co Meath.
The popular pub held a fundraising event on September 20 to raise the money, which included a 40k cycle, a 5k walk and a family fun day and barbeque.
The Crossbar Charity Trust chooses a different charity every year to fundraise for, with help from the Grasshopper Inn. Last year they raised money for SOUND, a body that supports those suffering or affected by narcolepsy disorders.
The charity trust chose to fundraise for Blossom three months ago, in early August. One of the women who set up Blossom, Amanda Croker, said they were shocked by the amount of money that had been raised.
“We were delighted; we hadn’t expected that much at all,
? she said.
Blossom was set up by Amanda and Sorcha Murray just over a year ago, starting off as a small social skills group for autistic children in Amanda’s home. They invested
?¬3,000 of their own money to help it grow, before relocating to St Francis Xavier School on Roselawn Road in D15 earlier this summer.
“We decided to set up a social skills group because we could do everything with it,
? Amanda said.
“It’s all play-based, so it’s fun and it’s interactive.
?
They started with eight children on a Saturday, which grew to over 30, largely through word of mouth in the autism community. Sorcha and Amanda hope to use the money raised to expand Blossom Play Therapy.
“Our social skills groups are a mixture of everything so we want to zone in on specific things now,
? Amanda said.
“We want to do yoga for children with special needs, arts and crafts, a food therapy group and also sibling support because the siblings of children with autism can sometimes feel left out. We hope to have something for everyone.
?
Amanda says she finds working with Blossom very rewarding.
“It’s so great to see a child who is non-verbal starting to speak or starting to play with the other kids. Even after six weeks, we see a huge difference.
?
The group hopes to set up a school at some stage next year around the Blanchardstown area.
“We want the school to be a nurturing, play-based environment for children with autism, where they’re accepted and challenged with play,
? Amanda explained.
“We want to start off really small, and to have something that’s completely new. I think because we’re both so young we have a real drive and a passion to make it work.
?
Blossom Play Therapy currently runs classes on Thursday and Saturdays, and also a one-to-one group on Wednesdays in St Francis Xavier School near Blanchardstown.