Saplings to benefit from former Westmeath stars" golf

On May 6-9, 128 of Ireland"s Leading Past GAA Inter County Players will depart these shores for Spain to partake in one of the most innovative charity fundraising events ever.The Westmeath team is represented by Rory O"Connell, Eddie Casey, Dermot Ryan and Jack Cooney.The GAA Legends are coming together in a competitive environment to raise money for their charity of choice within their respective counties. The Westmeath team"s charity is The Saplings School for Children with Autism in Mullingar.The GAA Legends Golf Charity Inter-County Championships is a 3 day golf team event with a difference. The competition comprises of a 4 man team, all of who have represented their county at senior level in either football or hurling.The total charity fund is €100,000 with each county given the opportunity to win part of this €100,000 for their charity over the 3 days.Rory O"Connell and Jack Cooney recently visited the Saplings School in Mullingar as part of their charity event. They were delighted to make the visit and have the opportunity to raise money for the school. 'After visiting the school and seeing firsthand the level of care for the children is great,' Westmeath Leinster SFC medallist and All-Star, Rory O"Connell said after his visit to the school.'The amount of work the staff and parents carry out to make this school special is a real eye opener. We are delighted to be able to raise some money for the school, the kids and staff here are brilliant.'Saplings Midlands, Mullingar is a school dedicated to the education of children with autism.The Saplings School"s aim is to support children with a diagnosis of Autism and their family by assisting them to achieve their full potential and participate in their family and community life.This is achieved through providing an educational approach that is holistic and evidence based whilst celebrating each child"s dignity, uniqueness & right to an optimal education. The Saplings school achieve this through providing an education based on the principles if Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).ABA is a psychological discipline, which simply stated, is the scientific study of behaviour. The Saplings schools teaches the children many different skills, including communication skills, social and play skills, pre academic skills, academic skills, self-care skills, independent living skills, integration and inclusion skills, vocational skills, physical and sexual development.Each child"s programme is individualized to suit their needs and maximise their learning potential. The Saplings School also provides speech and language and occupational therapy service provision for the children on a daily basis which is built into the children"s educational programme.Saplings has helped its children to achieve so much, and a note of sincere thanks has been extended to all those that have offered the school financial support in the past. In order to help the children, the school continues to rely on public support as we experience a large shortfall each year.Finally, if you would like to support the lads for their fundraising event, please contact the Saplings School at 044-9384853 or donate online at www.mycharity.ie and follow the link to 'Sponsor a Friend' before typing 'Westmeath GAA Footballers Golf For Saplings'. Your donations are greatly appreciated.