In these extraordinary times the Transition Year Team are calling on all members of the Blackrock College Community, along with all supporters of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Aidlink, all around the world to attempt an extraordinary feat! Whether you are a member of the Blackrock College, IMNDA or Aidlink community (or all three!), on Saturday April 24th 2021 we are inviting students, parents, past pupils, family, friends to walk/jog/run 5km in aid of these incredibly worthwhile causes.

Here are some additional details about our charity partners:

Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA):

We choose the IMNDA as one of our charity partners as it is a cause very close to the hearts of the Transition Year Team due to the courageous battle fought by local priest, the late Fr.Tony Coote with Motor Neurone Disease.

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) is the only organisation of its kind in the country providing specialised services to over 400 families affected by this terminal condition.

We cannot slow the progression of MND or change the outcome but we can alleviate the feelings of isolation and frustration. Everybody with MND has different needs at different stages of their journey with the disease and the IMNDA is here every step of the way.

Funds raised through Rock While You Can will go towards our vital services:

4 MND nurses funded entirely by donations.
The funding of home care hours.
Specialised equipment such as wheelchairs, hoists, communication aids etc
The funding of counselling sessions.
Your support is absolutely vital. Over 80% of our income comes from fundraising and donations.

Aidlink:

Aidlink is an Irish charity working to educate, enable and empower individuals, families and communities in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana to become leaders of their own development. Aidlink has a long history with Blackrock College, where it was founded in 1982, and has and has worked in partnership with the Spiritan Fathers on many projects in both Ireland and abroad. Aidlink continues to do incredible work since in the areas of education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygeine) and Agriculture. Throughout the Covid-19 period Aidlink are delivering food to out-of-school children as lockdowns have cut livelihoods and access to markets and installing hand washing stations as the first line of defence for families.