All's Fair

Brian Ormond and Merlin

Friday night saw the launch of a week of Celebrity Skating for Charity, I wrote about it already here and here.

For the next 5 days, 4 Irish Celebrities will be taught to skate by professionals culminating in a skate off at the RDS on Friday 19th, to be judged by non other than Boyzone, who I wrote about here, with some fondness. (okay gushing sycopancy then)

The four competing charities are; Children First, Special Olympics Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland and my own Irish Autism Action.

Every charity has a sponsor who has donated €15,000 already, and the winner will receive an additional €15K.

For Irish Autism this will go to the National Projects like the Diagnostic and Support Centre; Solas.

Solas was established in 2007 as a result of fundraising and O2's corporate sponsorship, and offers comprehensive multi-disciplinary diagnosis within 3 months of referral.

The waiting list for a state provided diagnosis is a minium of 2 years. Minimum.

It is much longer in The West.

Can you imagine 2 years of wondering what exactly is going on and what are you supposed to do??!!

So in real terms an extra €15, ooo will mean at least 15 more pro-bono assessments for families who want to get their kids an intervention right bloody now, but cannot afford it.

Our Skating celebrities were announced on Friday night's Late Late Show and we auties are in with a good chance. Our fella is the young and gorgeous Brian Ormond (pictured above) and he has skated before.

He could win.

Sorry Nick, Nan, and Cathal's Mammy, but if he does, Yours Truly will be there to accept the cheque, From Boyzone.

So you know, Just in Case.

(Tonya Harding)

xx