De La Salle Ladies Lunch present cheque to Anam Cara
By Echo Reporter
IN De La Salle Palmerstown , Anam Cara CEO Sharon Vard was presented with a cheque for €3,000 in recognition of Anam Cara’s work supporting bereaved families throughout South Dublin.
Founded by South Dublin parents in 2008, Anam Cara supports about 200 bereaved mothers and fathers annually from all across South Dublin through its local group which meets in Tallaght.
The money was raised through the annual De La Salle Palmerston Ladies Lunch held on April 23 this year. On the organising committee was Kate Burke, who is also a founding member of Anam Cara.
Speaking at the presentation, Kate said: “Ànam Cara is a club nobody wants to belong to, but to have a safe place where you can go and talk freely about your child and/or about how you’re feeling is hugely empowering and therapeutic to those of us on this very difficult journey.
Sometimes, to simply sit and listen to others who understand and are willing to share their story is as helpful as talking and at the Anam Cara meetings you can do both.
“I’m very grateful to our DLSP club members for getting behind Anam Cara this year, especially the Ladies Lunch Committee and our sponsors both from within the club and the wider community whose generosity played a huge role in the success of this year’s lunch.”
On behalf of Anam Cara, Sharon Vard said: “We are very grateful to the De La Salle Palmerston for their support of Anam Cara. Some 2,000 families experience the death of a child every year in Ireland, and the devastation that families experience often leads to feelings of isolation, despair and loneliness.
Anam Cara’s model is peer support – providing a safe and comfortable setting where bereaved parents can support each other. As one mother has said: ‘When I met other parents the sheer isolation lifted. For the first time I understood that what I was experiencing was normal.’
“On behalf of the South Dublin families that this donation will help support, I would like to thank all those who came to the lunch and gave generously for this donation.”
Anam Cara is an all-Ireland voluntary support organisation set up by bereaved parents to support bereaved parents throughout Ireland. Anam Cara South Dublin meets on the second Monday of each month (between September and June) in Dominic’s Community Centre, Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght from 7.30-9pm. Next meeting is June 13th.
To speak to someone from Anam Cara, or to order a free Information Pack for Bereaved Parents, please call its information line on 085 2888 888 or visit www.anamcara.ie. Donations of €2 can be made by texting REMEMBER to 50300. For larger donations please visit http://anamcara.ie/donate/
