Mobility Programme/Liberty Swings

Variety Club of Ireland’s First LIBERTY SWING
For the first time in Ireland wheelchair bound children will be able to use a swing. Ireland’s first ‘Liberty Swing’ was presented on 28th April 2009 in St. Joseph’s School for the Visually Impaired, Dublin, 9 and will go a long way to inclusiveness with children. In the photos you see children from St. Joseph's enoying themselves.

There were many celebrities at this auspicious occasion and Pete St. John kindly wrote a song for the occasion entitled “Ca bhfuil na Paisti beautifully sung by children from Gaelscoil Míde, Kilbarrack.

Among the celebrities who turned up at the launch were Fair City’s Jim Bartley (Bela) and Tom Jordan (Charlie), Sonny Knowles and Sean Dunphy. Sean Connick T.D. pushed by Michael Woods TD had a go and enjoyed it so much that we named this one ‘Connick’s Comet’
All were happy to sanction this wonderful enterprise for children confined to wheelchair to enable them to be wheeled on and enjoy a swing like all other children.

Most children with disabilities don’t ever experience a sense of movement and freedom.
Now kids with very limited movement can get on the swing and have as much fun as everyone else. It is also important that able-bodied children can see that children with disabilites are just like themselves doing the same. activity the do. St. Joseph’s is delighted with the valuable addition their palyground facilites and is sincerely grateful for the Variety Club of Ireland.

The Variety Club of Ireland is a voluntary organisation helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in Ireland since 1952, making a real difference to children’s lives throughout Ireland.

We are presenting another Liberty Swing in St. Michael’s House Ballymun on July 2nd 2009.
The aim of an ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND designed to cater for children of ALL ABILITIES and all ages enabling them to play together naturally.

You can find out more on the Liberty Swing website (Click on "SEE FOR YOURSELF!" - to watch the movie ).

Please donate to this ongoing project for Irish Children. Thank you!

If you wish to apply for our Liberty SwingProgramme, please contact the Chief Barker
Variety the Children’s Charity of Ireland, Tent 41
Astor House
29 Lower George's Street
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin

Telephone: 01 8393532
Email: chiefbarker@varietyireland.org

Click here to Download Application Form:
(European Certification EN1176 Awarded October 2008)

Click here for Liberty Swing Technical Factsheet:

Having problems viewing our Newsletter? Get Adobe Acrobat Reader Free!