The Inaugural Best Buddies Celebration Ball takes place at the Galway Bay Hotel tomorrow (Friday ) night.
The event is the culmination of a year long programme which pairs young people with intellectual disabilities with their peers at five second levels schools in the city and county.
Founded by 1987 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver and now running in more than 40 countries worldwide Best Buddies aims to establish foundations for friendship and real opportunities for community involvement.
Funded by the AIB Better Ireland Programme the initiative was introduced to the west of Ireland in 2008 by Ability West which provides services and supports to people with an intellectual disability.
“The benefits for all involved have proven to be enormous,” says Sinead Golden, Ability West’s Best Buddies’ programme facilitator.
“The programme has provided opportunities for young people with an intellectual disability to socialise with their own peers and to become part of their own community. The secondary school students who participated on the programme learned to appreciate and understand diversity and equality, while also gaining experience in decision making, team playing and fundraising.”
Students and buddies who have displayed exceptional leadership and commitment to the programme will be presented with awards at the ball. The MC for the evening is Galway Bay fm’s Ollie Turner while music will be by Milhouse and DJ Aidan Kenny.
“It is a fantastic event and we are expecting a large attendance from all involved in the programme from funders to buddies,” adds Ms Golden.
