Irish Independent. Saturday 17th. January 2009.
Elaine Keogh
Saturday January 17 2009
A TWO-year-old boy who suffers autism will finally get an assistance dog after his mother raised €45,000 towards the cause.
It’s believed it is one of the largest sums ever fund-raised by an individual in the history of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, who provide and train assistance dogs.
Lucy Owens from Tullyallen, Co Louth, yesterday presented the cheque to the organisation, and, if all goes to plan, her son Joey should have a dog sometime next year.
"The effort she put in has been phenomenal. For an individual with their family and friends, this has to be the one of the greatest fund-raising efforts in the history of the association," said its regional development managerPaddy Coyle.
Mrs Owens and her husband Pat believe the whole family will benefit from the dog and its calming effect. They have three other children, including an elder son who is also autistic.
Among the many events held was an abseil down the side of a hotel by school mums and other friends.
Last week pensioner Eugene O’Leary cycled for eight hours in a shopping centre and raised another €1,200.
"It took on a life of its own and every day people are coming up and giving me money," said Mrs Owens.
Yesterday she presented the cheque at Aiken army barracks in Dundalk as the abseil was done under the supervision of army Sgt Alan O’Reilly.
- Elaine Keogh
