On Sunday 12th April, Naas Cycle Club are holding their annual Tour de Foothills in aid of Saplings School for Children with Autism Kill, Co Kildare. The cycle will take place from Finlay Ford, Naas, Co Kildare, with registration from 8am and cycle starting 9:30 sharp. There will be two routes, 65km around the Blessington Lakes and 110km which includes the Lakes, Hollywood and the Glen of Imaal.
Saplings school is a registered charity that was set up by a small group of parents 13yrs ago as there was no appropriate education or services in Ireland for children with autism. It is one of only 13 schools in Ireland that specifically provide a 1 to 1 education to children with autism through ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) and other educational techniques. Saplings teaches life skills and academic curricula with educational programme individually build around each Childs needs, strengths and level of autism. The school has currently 24 kids, ranging in age from 4yrs to 18yrs, coming from, Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Offaly, Meath and Dublin. We are partially funded by the dept of Education but have a minimum yearly shortfall of 40,000 euros. Have a look at the YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FqowbgbwdU&list=LLHACL8G0n3agghKN1ArayHQ it explains Saplings far better than I ever could.
The proceeds from last year’s cycle were used to purchase Occupational Therapy equipment and establish a OT service for the children. All monies from this year will be used to purchase specialist work benches and furniture for all classrooms to meet the specific requirements of each child in the school.
We hope to see you again at the cycle this year and if you could pass this on to anyone you think might be interested in taking part, we would appreciate it .
Regards
John Whelan P.R.O. Saplings PA.
http://ncctourdefoothills.com/site/65km Route:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6822565
110km Route:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6834191
www.naascyclingclub.com
