OVER 120 staff volunteers from Aer Lingus rolled up their sleeves at Scoil Chiaráin in Glasnevin recently as part of a renovation project to help transform the outdoor areas of the school for its pupils.
As part of Difference Days, volunteer staff from across a range of departments at Aer Lingus – including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, flight dispatchers, check-in and IT staff to name a few – worked throughout the day, digging, planting and painting, to transform the school’s outdoor areas into a courtyard play area.
The new play area is now complete with an Irish dancing stage, a fairy village and wooden tepee hut, an outdoor classroom with seating and blackboard, a bright and colourful playground, and a sensory garden with raised beds, and a pond.
The work was carried out for the pupils attending Scoil Chiaráin, which assists children with mild general learning disability to develop socially and academically to the maximum of their potential in a stimulating and friendly atmosphere.
“The pupils, teachers and parents of Scoil Chiaráin would like to thank each of the Aer Lingus volunteers for donating their time to be here and for all the hard work put in on the day,” said Kathleen Dodd, Principal of Scoil Chiaráin.
“The Aer Lingus contribution to the school, through donated materials and labour, has been invaluable as it is work we just would not have been able to afford by ourselves.
“The renovated outdoor areas will be a great source of inspiration and enjoyment for all present and future pupils of Scoil Chiaráin.”
Director of IT at Aer Lingus, Anne Bradley, said the staff was more than happy to help.
“Aer Lingus is committed to giving back to the local community and we were delighted to this year assist Scoil Chiaráin in Glasnevin,” she said.
“We had 120 staff volunteer on the day, each one donating a days’ annual leave to help out.
“We really hope the pupils of Scoil Chiaráin are pleased with their new outdoor classroom, courtyard, play area and sensory garden.”
The Difference Day initiative was supported by the Aer Lingus TakeOff Foundation, which is Aer Lingus’ newly launched corporate, social, responsibility programme.
