Pictured with the children of Glasnevin Primary School 5th Class are:
Back Row: Ava Battles, CEO of MS Ireland (far left); Jane Tracey – sister of James Tracey (second from left); Leinster Rugby player James Tracey (far right);
Front Row: Deirdre O’Kane comedian (second from left); David Rawle from Moonboy (in red t-shirt).
Images courtesy of MS Society Ireland.
The MS Readathon is held annually for raising the awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland and the plight of those who suffer with this crippling neurological affliction.
More than 9,000 people in Ireland have been diagnosed with this condition and It is the most common neurological disease known in Ireland.
Approximately 450 schools across Ireland get involved annually and participate in the Readathon.
School pupils will read as many books as they can to raise funds for Ireland’s MS Society.
The launch of the readathon took place at Ireland’s National Library on September 20th with comedian Deirdre O’Kane and Moone Boy actor, David Rawle, both attending and promoting the event. At the launch O’Kane commented, “I was very happy to be asked to support MS Readathon this year, its great to get kids reading more, enjoying all the exciting books out there and at the same time helping people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.”
Ava Battles, the chief Executive of MS Ireland spoke about the event stating: “The MS Readathon is the key annual fundraising campaign for Multiple Sclerosis. Funds raised support vital services, for example, the MS Ireland information line which enables one-to-one support for those newly diagnosed, with physiotherapy and exercise classes to help stay independent and offer respite care.”
There is strong support as always for the MS Readathon from Irish authors voicing their support for the event, including Marita Conlon McKenna, Cecilia Ahern, Derek Landy and Oisin McGann. This event has not just been about the work of school children, but it equally concerns the influence and the fundraising efforts of both parents and teachers in each community across the country.
This event is effectively a month of reading books and learning about the general nature of Multiple Sclerosis, which ran for one month until November 7th. Information leaflets have been provided for each school participating around the country, with a reading certificate for each participant. Those who raised €20 were rewarded with an exclusive readathon wrist band. Those who raised €40 were awarded an MS wristband and a cooler bag. Those who raised €80 were awarded a wristband, cooler bag and an exclusive art set. Participants have been entered into a special prize draw to win one of 20 iPads.
According to Battles, “this year’s Readathon of 2016 is also a celebration of the 100 years since the birth of the great children’s author Roald Dahl.”
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland is based on Northumberland Road, Dublin 4. You can contact them via the MS Ireland website or by phone at (01) 678 1600 to voice your support or donate in aid of their services.
By Robert Fullarton
