Public appeal for donations to put Mayo AutAid Centre in place

An online fundraising initiative has been launched to help provide an AutAid Centre in Mayo for respite services for children and adults with autism and special needs.

Castlebar-based Patrick Quinn, one of the inspirations behind the project, said a premises has been identified and a sum of €25,000 is required to bring the proposal to fruition.

He explained: "This is an absolutely crucial service that is not currently being provided but needs to be.

"We now need to bring it to the next phase.

"While we will get state funding in the future at some point, we need to be seen to be helping ourselves in the initial phase.

"The support of the public in this matter, no matter how large or small, would be greatly appreciated as we try to create these services that are so badly needed."