Lucan teen gets to meet TV star Baz
By Brendan Grehan
LUCAN teen James Casserly (13) was given six hours respite from Crumlin Hospital last Saturday, when he got a special invitation to the launch of Center Parcs Ireland. Center Parcs is a charity partner of Barretstown and they invited a number of families whose children visit Barretstown to go down for the launch.
James, who has cerebral palsy and juvenile arthritis, has been a camper at Barretstown. He came back from holiday last week and was brought straight to Crumlin Hospital as he had not been too well.
James Casserly with TV presenter Baz Ashwamy
James’s mum Vicki Casserly, who is also Mayor of South Dublin County Council told The Echo: “Our Jimbo is not too well and is in hospital. He is in flying form nonetheless and we were given six hours out on Saturday to join our friends from Barretstown for the launch of Center Parcs Ireland”.
Vicki and James made a short video showing the facilities available in the accessibility lodge.
She said: “The accessible lodge is incredible. Everything is accessible and at the right height. It is all about inclusion and accessibility. We are very excited to stay when he is feeling brighter and really appreciate the warm welcome we were treated to. It’s definitely a place to visit. Incredible facilities and full of fun.”
As part of the day, James and Vicki got to appear on Virgin Media’s Weekend AM where they were interviewed by Anna Daly.
He also got to meet the star of ‘50 ways to Kill your Mammy” Baz Ashmawy,
Vicki told The Echo: “James has always been a big fan of that show. I don’t know what it says about me. Baz and the other celebrities were there with their families, but they all took time out to spend time with the children. It meant a lot to James and the other children. They were treated sensitively and it was all very low-key, the way it should be.”
