Finn Harps celebrates Bluestack Foundation partnership with limited edition jersey

Finn Harps have launched a limited-edition jersey in association with their 2024 Charity Partner - the Bluestack Foundation -  with the generous support of our main sponsor So-Lo.

The distinctive colourful jersey, which was inspired by the sensory room in the Bluestack building located alongside the beautiful opening of Donegal Bay, is currently on sale from the club shop.

The unique jersey will be worn in the home fixture against Wexford FC on Friday May 31, an evening the club are looking forward to inviting Bluestack staff, members and their families.

The Bluestack Special Needs Foundation was established to provide direct supports to people with additional needs themselves and direct supports to their families and carers.

Finn Harps marketing Officer Aidan Campbell said: “We are overjoyed to launch this initiative which we hope will increase awareness of the tremendous supports and services offered by the foundation.

"We think the jersey will be popular with both men and women of all ages and we would like to encourage everyone to learn about Bluestack’s work, support their fundraising if they can, or visit their great café in Donegal Town, the Bluestack Shack. We would also like to thank our main sponsors Solo for facilitating the Bluestack takeover of our third kit.”

The foundation will receive €10 from all adult sales and €5 from children's jerseys sold.

Wendy McCarry CEO of Bluestack said: “It is a privilege to be the charity partner of Finn Harps for 2024, to be associated with such a prestigious community club means the world to us and our members. Our ethos is about enhancing the lives of people with additional needs, they have a right to be included in mainstream activities, Finn Harps are leading by example in this regard.

"While the fundraising is essential to us as a charity, equally important is the networking and exposure Finn Harps brings to the table, we cannot do what we do for over 500 children and adults with disabilities without this support.

"If only 10% of the Finn Harps supporters do a little fundraiser for us, spread the word about the work we do, or indeed challenge themselves to be more inclusive in their professional and social lives, we will have collectively made a difference to the lives of many of the families living in our community caring for someone with a disability."

The Bluestack Foundation were founded in 2002 by the McBrearty family, which started off as a fundraising challenge, walking the Bluestack Mountains, fundraising to improve services available to children with additional needs. In 2006 the Bluestack Challenge committee decided to establish a charity and company limited by guarantee to address the lack of service provision for families caring for children and adults with additional needs. In 2008, the Foundation purchased their first building in Donegal Town.

They currently offer a range of services to 500 families across county Donegal and provide the following:

• Day time Respite
• Clubs and Programmes in three locations to include Saturday Clubs, Teen Clubs, Choir, Guitar Lessons, Parent Support Network Meetings, After School, Summer Camps, Sensory and Messy Play, Annual Purple Tie Gala Ball, Social Evenings
• Adult Training and Progression Programme
• The Bluestack Shack Coffee Dock
• Disability Equality Training
• Directory of Disability Services (published annually)
• Listening Ear
• Access to low-cost psychotherapy, play therapy and Behaviour therapy.
Uniquely, the Bluestack Foundation is not disability specific, but works with all families pre and post diagnosis.