Parent-run playgroup for disabled kids in Ireland overwhelmingly popular

From The Herald in Ireland:

A group of parents with disabled children who were forced to set up their own play club because of the lack of facilities available to them, have been inundated with requests from families in similar situations.

The Cando Club, a weekend play centre for disabled children, has become so popular that it has now opened a newly expanded club.

Parents Keith Conroy and Amanda Riordan came up with the idea with their two friends after they could find nowhere to take their young son Leo to play.

Keith and Amanda, whose five year-old son Leo has cerebral palsy, teamed up with two other parents Michelle and Keith Cronin to develop their idea.

"We began with just a small premises but the whole thing just got so big that we expanded," says Keith. "We started off by buying loads of toys, and then local groups started getting involved, and family members would ring up after they won on the horses or something like that and donate something.

"The local sports club in Corduff allowed us to have a room and store our equipment there. We also got a donation of €20,000 from the D15 charity and it all took off from there.

"The children now have a big play room and their own sensory room as well.

"Ten to 12 kids come regularly every week and they're allowed bring their siblings. Some kids are so sick that they come once and wouldn't be able to come again for the next few weeks."

The group of parents received a big boost when they were approached by Blanchardstown IT who want to give their first year students in Social Care some
work experience.

The students will be working with the children of Cando club every Friday night in the college.

"From just a little idea for a club, it's actually amazing to be getting involved with third level education now."

As well as the students who will start to work with the children in the next two weeks, volunteers have also signed up to supervise and play with the children.