Today Susie Hayes (age 11 years) who attends Enable Ireland’s children’s services in the Lavanagh Centre, Cork, was the first child to receive a behind the scenes tour of ‘Santa’s Magical Market’ at the Marina Market, the newest Santa experience in Ireland and right in the heart of Cork City. During the festive period, visitors to Santa at Marina Market can tap to donate €2 to Enable Ireland and place a ribbon on a tree within the market. These donations will support Enable Ireland’s children’s centre in Cork.

Julie Hayes, mother of Susie said:

Susie was honoured to be the first child invited to meet Santa. I am delighted that Santa’s Magical Market has chosen Enable Ireland as its charity partner because Susie attends respite and other services there and I know first-hand the great work that is being done at the Lavanagh Centre.

We are delighted to have been selected as this year’s charity partner for Santa’s Magical Market and thank TS Events and all the visitors to Santa’s Magical Market at Marina Market for their support this Christmas. The good people of Cork have been extremely generous to Enable Ireland over the years and their donations are essential to supporting our vital disability services to children and adults. I’m hoping every family who visits Santa will support the tap donate initiative. said Maria Desmond, Regional Fundraising Manager, Enable Ireland.

Santa’s Magical Market is brand new to the Marina Market and includes a ‘Magical Woods’, a Santa’s sleigh, post office and Mrs. Claus bakery before meeting Santa in his grotto. Each child will receive a present and there is one free printed photo per booking included in the price. Dogs are welcome and they cater for all ages and disabilities.

Enable Ireland has provided disability services in Cork for nearly 70 years. They are the lead agency for three Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT’s) at the Lavanagh Centre in Curraheen. The Children’s Disability Network Teams have been set up as part of the national Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Programme. These teams provide supports and services for children, young people and their families from birth to 18 years with complex disabilities. Services and supports provided to children and families include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, psychology and social work along with hydrotherapy from its purpose-builtpool. Enable Ireland also provides respite services to children and young people from Lavanagh House on its site in Curraheen.

Enable Ireland provides adult services including adult training, person centred planning, job coaching, therapies and transport services from centres and hubs in Little Island, Ballincollig, Carrigaline and Mallow. It also provides vital respite services for adults from Ard Na Mara House in Ladysbridge.

Enable Ireland has two charity shops in Cork, one on North Main Street and a new shop on Parnell Place. Profits from these shops support the charity’s disability services. Every year, Enable Ireland requires over €2 million in additional income from their charity shops and fundraising to go towards meeting the costs of delivering their vital disability services. You can support Enable Ireland by donating online www.enableireland.ie/donate.Further information can be found at www.enableireland.ie.

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