Chamber Members for Charity makes presentation to Down Syndrome Ireland – Carlow

The board of County Carlow Chamber met with Fergus Cole and Annette Foley from the Carlow Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland to present them with a cheque for €2788.88 which was collected as part of the Chamber Members for Charity Partnership.

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce recently partnered with Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), to support adults with Down syndrome through their National Employment Programme; as part of this the Chamber are focused on supporting Down Syndrome Ireland in a range of ways including building awareness of the programme and helping them to connect with employees across the county.

DSI are working to break down barriers and change the low employment rates adults with Down syndrome experience.  People with Down syndrome want to work and represent a substantial source of untapped commitment and talent.  Through DSI’s partnership with employers they can help to ensure adults with Down syndrome successfully access meaningful employment opportunities.

Companies who employ people with Down syndrome report that those employees are committed and motivated, and often only need an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. They take tremendous pride in their work and earning a wage, demonstrating unparallel levels of loyalty to their Employer.

Speaking at the presentation, Rowena Dooley of President of County Carlow Chamber said “Today we are delighted to present these funds to the Carlow Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland and support the great work they are doing.  Our partnership with them is more that fundraising as key is helping to highlight the programme and also to connect more employees with employers in the county to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are able to access meaningful employment within their community.”

The Chamber are calling on employers across the county to take a moment and have a look at the details of the programme, perhaps you too can be part of the change.  Further details can be found on the County Carlow Chamber website at www.carlowchamber.com

Pictured at the presentation to Down Syndrome Ireland Carlow Branch on 12th December in the Seven Oaks Hotel are:

(L-R): Mick Kelly of Simply Workflow; Lili Ishikawa of MSD Ireland Carlow; Paul Byrne of Business IT Solutions; Norah Ryan of Barrow Training & Consultancy; Eoin Kehoe of Kehoe Auctioneers; Shane Kenneally of FDC Group; Gemma Purcell of SETU; Michael Quinn of Robert Quinn Ltd; Fergus Cole from the Carlow Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland: Colin Duggan of the Woodford Dolmen Hotel; Annette Foley from the Carlow Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland; Brian O’Farrell of County Carlow Chamber; Rowena Dooley, President of County Carlow Chamber; Yvonne Jones of Carlow Chamber