Down Syndrome Ireland

[Ace]

Limerick Sun

4/18/04

Actress Alison Doody launches fundraiser



Stunning Irish actress Alison Doody was on hand recently to launch the national fundraiser, HB Ice Cream Sunday, that will take place this year on Sunday May 16th with all proceeds going to Down Syndrome Ireland. Alison was joined at an ice-cream party in Dublin by a number of children and their parents who all support Down Syndrome Ireland.

Now into it’s second year, HB Ice Cream Sunday will involve thousands of families, their friends and school children eating ice cream at ice cream parties in Limerick and all over the country. Organising a party is simple, with HB providing the ice cream and party hosts collecting a suggested EUR2 for every serving of ice cream. Last year, over 2,000 parties were held around the country that collectively raised EUR300,000. To register as a host on HB Ice Cream Sunday, call 1890 37 37 37.

Once again, Pierce Brosnan, the Patron of Down Syndrome Ireland, is the 'voice' and 'face' of HB Ice Cream Sunday. All proceeds raised on Sunday May 16th will go towards the ongoing development of the National Resource Centre, which currently provides early intervention, counselling, education and employment services for people with Down syndrome.

[curious george]

Wonderful! I'd love to eat ice cream and help a good cause at the same time.

cg

[sparklingblue]

Nice idea!

CG, incidentally you could also celebrate PB's birthday.

[curious george]

Sure, why not? btw, does anyone know what "HB" ice cream is?

cg

[lefty]

HB ice cream is affiliated to Wall's which makes ice cream, sausages and other consumer foods in the UK.
if ur interested they have a site: www.hbicecream.ie with some info about ice cream sunday on it

[curious george]

I'm sorry, the mention of ice cream and sausages together has kind of put me off the idea. Or was it the bowl of ice cream I substituted for lunch today?

cg

[Ace]

Down Syndrome Ireland



2005 HB Ice Cream Sunday
Sunday, May 22nd 2005

RT NEWSREADER SHARON BHEOLAIN STEPS OUT TO LAUNCH HB ICE CREAM SUNDAY, IN AID OF DOWN SYNDROME IRELAND

RT Newscaster Sharon N. Bheolain was on hand recently to launch this year's HB Ice Cream Sunday, which will take place next month on Sunday May 22nd, in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. Sharon, who was recently voted Ireland's most stylish woman, was joined at an ice-cream party in Dublin by Ailbhe Errity (4) and a number of children and their parents who all support Down Syndrome Ireland.

In its' third year, HB Ice Cream Sunday will involve thousands of families, friends and children eating ice cream at parties all over the country. HB will provide the ice cream and party hosts will collect a suggested donation of �2 for every serving of ice cream.

Pierce Brosnan, the Patron of Down Syndrome Ireland, will again be the voice and face of HB Ice Cream Sunday. All proceeds raised will go towards the ongoing development of the National Resource Centre, which currently employs full-time specialists working in the areas of Early Intervention, Counselling, Medical Services, Education and Independence serving all people with Down syndrome.

Speaking at the launch, President of Down Syndrome Ireland, Mr Alan Crosbie encouraged as many people around the country to host or attend an ice cream party on May 22nd.


********************


Date for your diary!!! Sunday, May 22nd 2005 marks the third HB Ice Cream Sunday in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. Our website will be updated shortly so you can register for your party pack on-line. In the meantime, you can register by calling 1890 37 37 37.

HB and Down Syndrome Ireland would like to thank everyone who took part in the 2004 HB Ice Cream Sunday. 2004 was the second year for this campaign and once again it has proven to be a huge success. The 2004 HB Ice Cream Sunday event was a huge success raising over �327,000 and this was largely due to Pierce Brosnan speaking to the public on our behalf in the radio adverts, and allowing us the use of his image on our posters and literature.

Over 200 people gathered on May 16th, 2004 in the RT canteen to celebrate the launch of the campaign. Both members, their families and friends, and some famous faces turned up to show their support and some of their pictures are shown below.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to everyone at HB, in particular, Nicola Barrett and John Concannon for their tremendous support and generosity during this campaign and also to everyone who held a party to support our organisation. All monies raised from this campaign goes towards the building of our National Resource Centre. Once again, thank you for your support and hope that you are already looking forward to your 2005 HB Ice Cream Sunday Party!!

[sparklingblue]

What a very sweet picture!

[Ace]

IRISH INDEPENDENT

Helping Hands from Elio and Megan

03/21/2006 01:08:46 AM EST


HOLLYWOOD star Pierce Brosnan will be conveying a special thank you today to his many friends and co-volunteers at Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI).

Brosnan is a patron of the charity and has recorded a special greeting from Canada, where he is currently filming, to mark World Down Syndrome Day.

To mark the occasion, DSI will host the Helping Hands awards to honour exceptional people with Down Syndrome at a function to be held in the Davenport Hotel in Dublin tonight.

In his message, the former Bond star thanks the organisation for honouring him with a special recognition award for his efforts promoting Irish people and their families suffering from Down Syndrome.

The Navan-born actor is among six other recipients of the awards that recognise exceptional acheivements of people suffering from the syndrome and those working to support them.

They include Tara Mooney (16), from Santry, Dublin, Martina Healy (23), from Killarney, Co Kerry; Sean Jordan, (18), from Templeogue, Dublin; Mai Denmead, of Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Margaret Geary, of Rathkeale, Co Limerick; and Mary Jo Merrins, of Nurney, Co Kildare.

Tom Burke's picture shows Elio Rabbitte (9), from Castleknock, Dublin, and Megan O'Reilly (3), from Fairyhouse, Co Meath, at the announcement of the Helping Hands awards in Dublin's Burlington Hotel yesterday.


Copyright © 2006 Irish Independent. Source: Financial Times Information Limited - Europe Intelligence Wire.

[Ace]

Down syndrome a 'normal part of human condition'

From:ireland.com
Wednesday, 22nd March, 2006


People must start to see Down syndrome as "normal part of the human condition" and not an affliction, Michael McCormick, chief executive of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) said last night.

"A person with Down syndrome is complete, it's the same as being short, or thin or fat," he said. "We want to get away from the sympathy and the low expectations because low expectations deliver low results."

He was speaking at a DSI awards ceremony in Dublin held to mark World Down Syndrome Day yesterday. Down syndrome is the most common intellectual disability in this State. About 105 babies are born with the genetic condition every year.

Mr McCormick also called for the full integration of people with Down syndrome into the educational system. Despite the fact that Down syndrome was the most common intellectual disability in the State, teachers received no special training to help them work with students with the condition, he said.

Actor Pierce Brosnan was honoured last night for the work he has done for people with Down syndrome. The Navan-born actor has worked with Down Syndrome Ireland for the past four years. He praised the work of the charity in a recorded message from Vancouver.

Six other people were honoured in the "Helping Hands" awards, including Martina Healy (23) from Killarney, Co Kerry, Tara Mooney (16) from Santry and Seán Jordan (18) from Templeogue, both in Dublin, all of whom have Down syndrome and live very active lives.

Awards were also made to supporters of people with Down syndrome, including Mary Jo Merrins, Nurney, Co Kildare, Margaret Geary, Rathkeale, Co Limerick and Mai Denmead, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

[Ace]

Athlone Advertiser: Have you signed up for HB ice cream Sunday in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland?


Now in its fifth year, HB Ice Cream Sunday will take place next month on Sunday May 27 with thousands of people enjoying ice cream at parties all over the country. It is hoped that €500,000 will be raised from the event this year.

Pierce Brosnan, the patron of Down Syndrome Ireland, will again be the voice and face of HB Ice Cream Sunday. All proceeds raised will go towards the on-going development of the National Resource Centre, which currently employs full-time specialists working in the areas of health, early intervention, counselling, medical services, education, and independence serving all people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Ireland has a membership of over 3,100 family units and provides support to both the person with Down syndrome and their carers. The organisation operates with a head office in Dublin and a network of 24 county branches, which provide access for people with Down syndrome to a range of localised support services, which help to improve the quality of life.

To register as a host on HB Ice Cream Sunday, call 1890 37 37 37, log onto www.downsyndrome.ie or pick up a registration form at your local Supervalu store.

Mr Michael McCormick, CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland is encouraging as many people as possible around the country to host or attend an ice cream party on Sunday May 27. “Our children have much more in common with typically developed children than they are different. As we say ‘same dreams, different genes’. Here in Down Syndrome Ireland we provide essential support, advice, and information to people with Down syndrome and their families. Supporting this campaign helps us continue our good work,” he said.

Facts about Down syndrome

·Down syndrome was first described in detail by English doctor, John Langdon Down, in 1866.

·It is a congenital condition that randomly affects one in every 600 infants, male and female alike, born worldwide.

·A syndrome means a group of recognisable characteristics occurring together. A ‘congenital’ syndrome is one present at birth, one that cannot be ‘caught’ later.

·The group of characteristics identified by Dr Down is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 in each of the body’s cells. It is a chromosomal accident, not caused by anything that the parents may have done before or after pregnancy.

·People with Down syndrome have common features, but they also closely resemble their parents and siblings. Many characteristics are attributed to Down syndrome but any one person will only have some of them. The extent to which a child shows the physical characteristics of the syndrome is no indication of his or her intellectual capacity.

·Children with Down syndrome are at increased risk of certain health problems – congenital heart defects, increased susceptibility to infection, respiratory problems, obstructed digestive tracts, and childhood leukaemia.

·In 1910 the life expectancy of a child with Down syndrome was nine years. Today, thanks to the discovery of antibiotics and recent advancements in clinical treatment, the majority of people born with Down syndrome reach age 55 and may live longer.

·There is no cure for Down syndrome. However, with parental support, love, and continued education, people with Down syndrome are reaching their full potential and leading interesting, happy, and fulfilled lives.


(Publication Date: 27/04/2007)

[eaz35173]

No sure what year this is from, but someone recently uploaded the audio from one of the advertisements for the Down Syndrome Ireland Ice Cream Party, narrated by Pierce ...

[eaz35173]

[tlowrites]

That's such a great shot of him with the kids. Wonder when it was taken? Looks like maybe several years ago.

[Ace]

Hard to tell though it's recently posted on their Facebook page along with info that that the radio ads he made for them for their HB Ice Cream Fundays Campaign 2013 are starting to air.


www.facebook.com/downsyndromeireland