CSSC announces new charity partner

CSSC will hold fundraising events throughout the year to raise money to support the local charity which trains and provides assistance dogs for children with autism and people with mobility disabilities.

The first fundraising event was a coffee morning held in CSSC’s offices on 5 December 2019.  Further events are to be announced.

CSSC Chief Executive Barry Mulholland said:

“We are delighted to announce that Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI) will be our charity partner for the year.

“Not only will we raise money to support ADNI’s services, we will also raise awareness of this local charity which does such excellent work in the community.

“Children with autism and people with mobility disabilities benefit greatly from the increased safety, freedom and quality of life which the assistance dogs provide.  Staff have chosen ADNI as our charity partner due to the difference this charity makes to many people, including many children attending controlled schools.”

Geraldine McGaughey, Chief Executive of ADNI said:

“We are thrilled that CSSC has chosen us as its new charity partner.  Much of our work is focused on children and our aim is to place further therapy dogs in schools, so this partnership is particularly appropriate. 

"We are looking forward to a very productive and fun year, and to working closely with the CSSC team.  All the money raised will stay in Northern Ireland.” 

ADNI provides assistance dogs with all training being free of charge to those who meet the eligibility criteria.  Autism assistance dogs provide a calming influence for the child and promote positive changes in behaviour.  Disability assistance dogs are trained to carry out a number of specialised tasks such as opening doors and fetching articles, and to enable the person to go to public places.

Photograph caption

Coffee morning 5 December 2019.  Pictured are Tracy McLoughlin - CSSC, Rev Dr Fred Munce, Shirley White - Chairperson of ADNI, Marianne Duncan - CSSC.