Variety Ireland and Tim O'Leary donate 155 iPads to special needs assistants in Mayo

There is huge buzz of excitement in national schools across Mayo as special needs assistants in national schools receive an iPad donated to them by London Stock Market trader, Tim O’Leary, and Variety, the Children’s Charity of Ireland.

As part of both Tim’s and Variety Ireland’s own commitment to 'promoting equal access to remote education', each national school received an upcycled iPad, provided to special needs assistants in every national school across the county.

As well as having a long-standing association with working with Variety – the Children Charity, Tim has also donated significant funds to Mayo GAA, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice and Burrishoole Mindspace in Mayo.

The London born businessman has strong Mayo roots with his mother Margaret being born and raised in the beautiful town of Newport.

Tim and Variety Ireland are passionate about helping children who require additional supports with learning.

They recognise the essential duties that every special needs assistant carries out on a daily basis in helping children with learning difficulties.

Kevin O’Brien, who heads up development projects for Variety Ireland, said: “This is a great time for special needs assistants in national schools across Mayo.

"Variety Ireland relies on kind donors like Tim O’Leary to help us deliver projects that directly benefit children who may need that extra bit of support with learning in the classroom. Our “iPad for Schools” programme does just that.

“The fact that Tim has paid for 155 upcycled iPads for national schools throughout Mayo means not only is this project beneficial to addressing children’s education needs but it is also highly environmentally friendly.

"As a society, we need to protect and help our most vulnerable and in doing so we also need to protect the environment and these up cycled ipads do just that.”

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland who celebrate it’s 70th birthday in Ireland next year will be rolling out their national project over the next 12 months where philanthropists who have an affiliation of links to a specific county will commit to help special needs assistants in national schools by paying for upcycled iPads to help them teach children with learning difficulties.

Only last week Roscommon business man Sean Mulryan kicked started their national campaign by partnering with Variety Ireland and paying for every national school in Co Roscommon to receive an iPads for their special needs assistants.

Kevin added: “Mayo is extremely lucky to have someone like Tim O’Leary who gets behind projects that have huge educational and environmental benefits for people within the county."

Tim O’Leary stated: “I always enjoy doing things that help people in Mayo. Supplying upcycled iPads to help special needs assistants Is a fantastic idea that will have a big impact on the education of children who may need that little bit more help with learning.

“The fact that all iPads are upcycled means this is also an environmentally friendly initiative.

"With Variety Ireland being a voluntary run charity with no paid directors means that 100% of all money I donated for this project went to purchasing the iPads that are going to benefit so many children across Mayo.

“What amazes me is Variety actually volunteered all records to show me how my money is being spent, simply incredible.

"I think it’s vital that donors to any organisation are supplied with this type of information as it promotes transparency and accountability within their organisations.

"I don’t think it would be a bad thing for them to take a leaf out of Variety Ireland’s book and use this this type of model that offers total transparency that will encourage others to get involved or donate to good causes.

“For me, Variety Ireland tick all these boxes and I look forward to working with them on other important projects to help children in the future.”

Variety, the Children’s Charity of Ireland which is a non-government funded charity, is one of the few charities in Ireland not to have paid directors.

Variety Ireland specialises in helping children up to the age of 18 with environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions in addressing their mobility, educational needs along with their well-being, across the island of Ireland.

Variety Ireland also had another surprise in store for Tim O’Leary this week as he received one of their prestigious “Environmental Awards.”

Kevin O’Brien from Variety Ireland commented: “We are delighted to present Tim O’Leary with this award that we give to people who support children with disabilities and our environmental initiatives.

“Tim is a good guy and deserves this award. He has a true love for Mayo and continues to help children with learning difficulties.

"This time around he has paid for sustainable upcycled iPads to be given to Special Needs Assistants in Mayo. This is all part of Variety’s commitment to helping children and promoting sustainable living.”

Variety Ireland are always looking to help families with children with disabilities from across Ireland. You can get in touch or donate to their environmental projects that changes the lives of children with disabilities by visiting their web page www.varietyireland.org or follow them on social media.