‘Pre-loved dresses’ mother helps support Downs charity
By Aideen O'Flaherty
AN assortment of fabulous formal dresses will be going on sale at reasonable prices in aid of the Down Syndrome Centre, with a local mother inviting people to set up their own event as part of Buy My Dress 2017.
Buy My Dress, now in its ninth year, sees pre-loved dresses going on sale for a good cause, and for the first time people are being invited to set up their own event to help fundraise for the Down Syndrome Centre.
Clondalkin woman Jackie Carlile, mother to Lara (5) and Belle (3), is encouraging people to get involved as she has seen first-hand the impact that Down Syndrome Centre’s services have had on Lara.
Ms Carlile told The Echo: “High-end, top quality dresses will be sold for between €10 and €30, and you can host your own event.
“I’ll be hosting my own event, and the proceeds will go to Down Syndrome Centre to help them to provide vital therapies to children like Lara.
“Lara was behind on fine motor skills, self-help and speech, then we went to the Down Syndrome Centre and now she’s dressing herself, chatting and writing her own name.”
The Down Syndrome Centre receives no government funding, so they rely on fundraising in order for them to continue carrying out their work.
Last year more than 20,000 dresses went on sale for Buy My Dress, with the second-hand dresses on offer from wide-ranging brands including Topshop and Coast.
When talking about her own event, Ms Carlile said: “Lara is super-excited, she loves all things girly and glittery – she’ll be centre stage.
She added: “It’s really easy to organise your own Buy My Dress event, and it’s a perfect excuse to get friends and family together.
“The proceeds go directly back into the centre, and you’ll be helping over 200 people a week who use their services.”
Over €500,000 has been raised over the years as a result of Buy My Dress events, which helps to fund four Down Syndrome Centres around the country.
The Sandyford-based Dublin Down Syndrome Centre supports the needs of over 200 children and their families.
Buy My Dress events will be held on Saturday, September 30.
For more information on how you can host, attend or donate check out www.downsyndromecentre.ie or call 01 661 8000.
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