08/03/2025
A message from Chris Gilmartin, Down Syndrome Ireland West Regional Centre Committee member.
As Down Syndrome Mayo Branch celebrate their 50th Anniversary; I would like to mention as a member of Down Syndrome Mayo Branch, volunteer, fundraiser, and DSIW Committee Member a few of words of thanks.
Firstly, I would like to thank the Campbell family for their generosity and support from the start when the Mr. Máirt Campbell bequest his home to DSI National Office. Another member Adrian Doherty envisaged creating a centre of excellence for all members & their families in the west of Ireland from Mr. Campbell's home. The previous DSM Chairperson Angela Prendergast Black was a trojan supporter of the project traveling the length and breath of the country with Adrian Doherty researching how to undertake such a huge dream for our children and the next generation. Along with Ann Marie and Enda Campbell pushing it forward, working hard fundraising and promoting the centre, I was delighted when they asked me to come on board. The team were ready to start and now 9 years on we have completed that dream. Raising over €500,000 in our local communities to complete construction and very good friends of mine who volunteered their holidays and weekends of time and labour free of charge in construction.
Thanks to the exceptional local contractors that have work on site.
The playground built ref: Adrian Doherty "A place where every child can play". We have the kitchen, bathrooms, Sensory room and IT equipment all ready to go in.
Down Syndrome Mayo Branch will move into the centre, and we look forward to when Down Syndrome Ireland inform us of the official opening date to, DSIW, Down Syndrome Mayo Branch Committee and all of our members. It's been an honour to be part of Down Syndrome Mayo Branch's story over the 50 years and one of the founders (Adrian Doherty, Enda Campell & myself) of Down Syndrome Ireland West Regional Centre for not only my son Ryan, Enda's son James & Adrian's son Louis, but all the children, teens, adults and families I have met along the way. Adrian & Enda, it's been a privilege to work with you on this project, and we can raise a toast to Mr. Máirt Campbell, our families supporting us and what we have achieved over 9 years when the doors open for everyone. Thank you to everyone who helped in anyway over the years. You helped change a child's future.
Kind regards,
Chris Gilmartin.
Down Syndrome Ireland West Regional Centre Committee Member
