Pamela takes on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ 16km walk for sensory equipment
Pamela Conway raised €1,290 to buy equipment for An Cosan’s Early Year’s Centre

Pamela takes on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ 16km walk for sensory equipment

A TALLAGHT woman battled the elements as she took on the challenge of walking the 16km ‘Stairway to Heaven’ walk to raise money for sensory equipment for an early year’s centre.

Pamela Conway led the walk in Cavan on October 23, raising over €1,290 euro to buy equipment for An Cosán’s Early Years Centre in Kiltipper, Tallaght. Pamela set out to complete the fundraiser for the sensory equipment which will benefit her son Conor, who is autistic, and other children attending the centre with autism spectrum disorder or sensory needs (ASD).

“I decided to do it because my son Conor has level three ASD. I knew that he had autism since he was around one. He doesn’t talk or communicate, and he only started pointing three weeks ago,” Pamela told The Echo.

“I couldn’t send him into a regular preschool because of his autism so An Cosán’s Early Years Centre accepted him. Conor can be quite aggressive sometimes and he has sensory needs – he loves lights and cars, sounds and all that type of sensory stuff.

“When I went up to the preschool, they only had a few sensory bits, and I know the funding can be difficult for it – the equipment is very expensive.”

Pamela Conway

Discovering the need for sensory equipment that could benefit her son and other children in the preschool, Pamela decided to do the fundraising walk to raise money for the equipment.

Speaking about the walk, Pamela said that although it was tough on the day due to bad weather conditions, it was all for a worthwhile cause.

“It was awful weather, I got out of the car and the wind blew me back,” said Pamela.

“It took us about two and a half hours to three hours. I just kept saying to myself I am going to take it a few steps at a time. I just thought of all the little kids that are going to get use out of the equipment, it’s only a little thing to do and even if they get a box of little things out of it, it’s worth it.”

All funds raised will be used to buy new sensory equipment for the children to use at Kiltipper Early Years Centre with the goal to have it bought and in place before Christmas.

Children with special needs will benefit in particular through equipment and toys which stimulate the sense and the touch.

The expert Early Years education staff at Kiltipper will be on hand to help and guide the children.

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