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From left, Inspired members, David Malone, Sinead Joy, Niamh O’Connor, Labhaoise O’Connor, Jonathan Collins of Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Inspired volunteer Maree O’Connor, Breda O’Sullivan, Denise O’Mahony, Carmel Roche and Jack Dowey Kingston at the launch of the fashion show for Inspired at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
MEMBERS of the Inspired group will strut their stuff at a fashion show in Ballyroe Heights Hotel next week.
“The show is our main fundraiser for the service we provide to young adults with intellectual disabilities,” said Maree O’Connor of Inspired. The show will take place on Friday, June 16 at 8pm.
“Almost all models have intellectual disabilities ranging in age from 4 to 50. Also joining them on the catwalk will be members of the Gardai. On the night some of our participants will also be staging a photography exhibition and selling jewellery they’ve made in the lobby,” said Maree.
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Inspired is a community initiative based in Tralee. Participants come from Tralee, Listowel and Killarney. It is a unique type of project as participants have ownership over it.
“They decide what courses they want to pursue and we then organise qualified tutors to deliver them,” said Maree. “We do classes like literacy, communication skills, retail sales skills, photography, and gardening amongst others. A major part of our work is helping in the local community. Our young adults like to help others and be involved in the community in a meaningful way.”
“Many of our members attend state funded services but also choose to come to Inspired 2 or 3 days per week. We work closely with these service providers and are open in Friary Lane, Tralee on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays (from September it will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We are currently enrolling participants for next year so anyone who is interested in finding out more can visit our website at www.inspired.ie,” said Maree.
The fashion show takes place on Friday, June 16 at 8pm. Tickets are €15 and are available in That’s Perfect (formerly Razzle Dazzle) from Carmel and Mary, and in Inspired at 5 Friary Lane. Tickets will also be available to buy in Ballyroe on the night.
