Hi,

My name is Melanie.

If you've been lucky to meet any of my family, lucky you. We're loud, bold and full of character.

And that perfectly sums up Clodagh. Niece, daughter, grand-daughter and down right messer. She is known for her big heart, infectious laugh and brilliant sense of humour. She reminds me every day to live life the way you want to, not how the world tells you to. And that any problem can be fixed with a little laughter and a hug.

Clodagh goes to school at St Mary's National School Limerick where she is lucky to be part of their Junior ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) class.

Being a past pupil of the school myself (many moons ago), it's amazing to see the impact the school, St Mary's NS, has had on our local community & our kids in most recent years.

The staff in her class, and wider school community, do a trojan amount of work in creating a safe, supportive space where kids can learn, grow, truly be themselves and make gorgeous friendships. In an ASD class, this work is highly specialised, with the kids receiving support outside a main stream classroom.

ASD classes are hugely beneficial for kids with autism - particularly in helping to develop their social, communication and self regulation skills which kids carry with them for life.

Money raised will go towards funding things like sensory equipment, calming spaces, specialist learning resources, therapeutic supports and inclusion activities. This will have a huge impact on classroom development and will hugely benefit these kids on a daily basis.

This May, I will run the Regeneron Great Limerick Run Half Marathon to raise funds for Clodagh, her class mates and the brilliant staff of the ASD Junior class in St Mary's National School.

The world needs all kinds of minds & we must love and empower them.

On behalf of myself, Clodagh and St Mary's NS ASD Junior Class, we just want to thank you in advance. Any donation, no matter the amount, will mean the world!