Ronan fagan
Providing a safe, all inclusive environment where support is a core principle, Infinity Friends continues to foster growth and enhance the abilities of autistic children who regularly attend the social club at Monksland Community Centre.
Established by Claire Earley and Hilda Duignan in September 2022, the social club, now affiliated with Youth Work Midlands, caters for autistic children from Athlone and the surrounding Midlands region, enabling attendees to grow in confidence through regular participation in community based, self care and leisure activities.
“With in excess of 50 children regularly attending the social club and an ever growing waiting list, Infinity Friends remains indebted to the support of the local community and as thoughts now turn towards the future, the ultimate aim is to open a dedicated premises where children can attend and avail of services which will enable their continued confidence growth.
“It is our mission to promote inclusion and support diversity within Athlone working with fellow agencies, clubs, groups, schools and businesses, to achieve such an aim,” Claire Earley stated this week.
Claire acknowledged that much has been achieved since Infinity Friends was established in September of last year.
“Infinity Friends has achieved so much since its formation, particularly the organisation of the recent summer camps. As there is little or no choice in summer camps suitable for autistic children, our club hosted such activities for the first time this year. The camps were a massive success, all organised and hosted on a voluntary basis. They took place for four weeks during the months of June and August with each group enjoying a week of camp complete with various activities. The children were able to participate in activities at their own pace and with no pressure on them to do so.
“Feedback from the parents whose children participated in the summer camps was very positive and hopefully, we will be in a position to provide such an option next summer,” Claire added.
Fundraising Initiative
With funding a necessity to enable the future growth of Infinity Friends, four fathers, Anthony Devine, Gerry Gallagher, Ivor Earley and Paul Slevin, whose children attend the social club, will undertake a parachute jump on Saturday, September 23.
“We are honoured that these four fathers have decided to make this brave move and literally jump out of a plane to raise funds for Infinity Friends at the Irish Parachute club in Clonbullogue, County Offaly on Saturday, September 23,” Claire commented.
Speaking this week the four fathers shared their positive Infinity Friends thoughts prior to their fundraising parachute jump on Saturday week.
Anthony Devine
“I have always told my daughter Megan that it is okay to be afraid, but usually there is nothing of which to be afraid, if you can do it once you can do it again. I am not enthused about heights (jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet ), but if once I have done so I can say that I conquered my fear so all else should be easy,” Anthony remarked.
Gerry Gallagher
“My son Jack (10 ), looks forward to his club meetings each Sunday and thoroughly enjoys the regular outings to the equestrian centre, play centres and other various events organised by Infinity Friends for the children.
“My wife Suzanne and I feel very lucky to have such a service in Athlone that benefits Jack so much. We are very grateful to Claire and Hilda for all their efforts in making this group the success story that it is. For all those reasons I am only too delighted to have this opportunity to help raise some funds for the group,” Gerry stated.
Ivor Earley
“Infinity Friends is a safe space for my daughter Sophia (9 ) to attend every week. She has made lots of new friends and enjoys the activities, her favourite activity being horse riding. This summer Sophia attended the Infinity Friends summer camp. This was her first time to be given the opportunity to attend a summer camp. She had a great week of fun filled activities with friends.
“Infinity Friends is also a great place for the parents as new information relating to our children always arises. We chat while the children attend the club. It is an hour a week that we feel understood and our children are accepted for who they are. The club also organises social events for parents and information days. It is for all these reasons and more that I have agreed to take part in this parachute jump fundraising initiative. We are raising much needed funds to help Infinity Friends obtain their own premises and provide more clubs for the ever growing waiting lists. It is important that no child gets left behind,” Ivor said.
Paul Slevin
“Infinity Friends has been such a help to me and my family and I am absolutely delighted to be able to give something back by doing the parachute jump. My child really enjoyed the summer camps with the group and my wife and I have made so many new friends in the group, all of whom are of a similar mindset,” Paul noted.
To make a donation to the Infinity Friends parachute jump fundraising initiative visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/InfinityFriendsDads.
For those interested in joining Infinity Friend contact Claire Earley on 0851067276 or email [email protected].
