‘Every child is entitled to the support they require’ - Margarite Meehan

A Burtonport woman is set to run the Omagh Half Marathon to fundraise for children with additional needs. 

Margarite Meehan who is from Lackenagh, Burtonport is participating in the half marathon, which is 22km, on Sunday, April 7. The 41-year-old is participating in a bid to raise funds for Scoil Cholmcille Acres, Burtonport, where she was previously a student, and her children attend. 

“My aim is to raise funds specifically for resources that will greatly benefit children with additional needs,” Margarite told DonegalLive. “I believe that every child deserves equal opportunities and access to the resources they need to thrive.”

After speaking to parents and teachers at the school, Margarite discovered the lack of assessments available annually and the difficulty in supporting children with additional needs with the absence of a psychological assessment. 

Psychologist assessments are required for recommendations of the additional supports a specific child requires eg., sensory help or different learning methods for example,  and anything that is required then is additional money but “every child is entitled to the support they require.”

“One parent said to me that she had to get a dyslexic psychologist assessment for her child to get resources and she says it is terrible because the school only get one of those assessments per year through the department and her child doesn't fit the criteria.”

The need for assessments is based upon the severity of the child's condition, so those who require it most will be prioritised. This is due to the fact that schools are only granted one to two assessments per year. 

“So she had to pay privately, it was €600, and she had to pay that to get the assessment for the child to get the resources that they needed within the school.

“For example, if two children need assessments and five others do too because the others aren’t deemed bad enough, they are left to manage on their own. I was told they had to wait in line."

At Scoil Cholmcille National School, “there would be approximately ten needing an assessment right now and they will have to be done privately so unless the parents take it into their own hands it won’t be done.” 

Margarite had planned to run the Omagh Half Marathon this year anyway, but once she discovered the need for funding at her local primary school she decided to dedicate all proceeds raised to get the children assessments. Assessments have been booked by the school through funds raised thus far. 

"Your support means the world to me, the students, and the entire Scoil Cholmcille Acres community." You can donate here.

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