Three brave Galwegians are preparing to skydive from 13,000 feet in a fantastic fundraising campaign for a local special school.
Gail and Peter Maguire, along with their 16-year-old son Daniel, will take on the daring challenge in October to raise funds for St Joseph’s Special School in Galway City.
Their fundraiser has already raised over €1,300 in the first week, and their goal is to raise a total of €5,000 before they take to the air in less than two months’ time.
St Joseph’s Special School, under the patronage of voluntary organisation Ability West, provides a safe environment for kids with a moderate general learning disability to learn and grow academically, physically, socially and emotionally.
Gail, whose daughter attends St Joseph’s, describes the school’s teachers and staff as an “incredible bunch of dedicated, compassionate, patient and caring people”.
“They have created a very child-centred environment designed to accommodate individual learning so that all the pupils may experience success,” she says.
The Maguires will skydive through the Irish Parachute club on 24 October and Gail says that it will be a huge challenge for her.
“This will push me totally out of my comfort zone as I am terrified of heights – and I mean terrified!” Gail says.
“Some of these kids spend much of their time living outside their comfort zone just to fit in to what society deems acceptable.
“So, just to step out of my comfort zone for this short time is in recognition and admiration for all these children for everything they do and achieve in their lives.”
A beautifully written poem by a mother of a boy at St Joseph’s special school
