A UNIQUE fundraising initiative that saw a martial arts expert swing a Kettlebell for one mile has won a top award within the organisation.
RehabCare HOPS (Harrison’s Opportunities & Placement Service) on Westland Square was highly commended in the Rehab Group Innovation Awards for 2014 at a recent award ceremony in Dublin for its
‘One Mile Kettlebell Walk’ fundraising initiative.
This fundraiser was selected for a highly commended award out of 64 innovative projects, which had been submitted from across the organisation.
The innovation was in partnership with Wild Geese Martial Arts on Pearse Street, whose co-owner Dave Hedges set himself a challenge to swing a Kettlebell for one mile.
In 2011, he walked with a 16kg kettlebell and in 2012, with a 24kg kettlebell.
Each event raised over
?¬5,000 for the service and also created awareness of mental health issues within the community and of the RehabCare HOPS Resource centre.
Funds have bought new computer equipment and have helped to set up new programmes and activities in the centre.
Nessa Canavan, Community Services Manager from RehabCare HOPS said:
“The Rehab Group Innovation Awards reward examples of best practice, improvement and creativity in the Rehab Group across all divisions and are designed to encourage employees and people who use the services to develop new ideas and projects.
“It’s great that our project has been recognised out of so many innovative projects across the organisation. Everyone in the centre and in Wild Geese Martial Arts works really hard to ensure that this fundraiser is successful and that it makes a difference to peoples’ lives.
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Rehab is a group of charities and not-for-profit companies which work towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential.
Those who currently use Rehab’s services include young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, people with autism and people with an acquired brain injury.
A range of essential services is also provided to older people, carers and others who are marginalised including people who require supports to enter or re-enter the workforce. Every year, tens of thousands of people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in more than 260 locations.
For more information see www.rehab.ie