Annual Western Care Walk
                                                                                   
The Annual Western Care Walk will take place Saturday September 10th starting at Aasleagh Falls and finishing up at Westport Quay.
It is a beautiful route along the Western Way following the Erriff River for the first 5km before heading towards the Sheffrey Pass via Tawnyard. From Sheffrey the path heads towards Shanvalley Beg and passes close to Maum before heading through the forest and coming out at the back of Croagh Patrick. From there it is mainly downhill via Skelp and Belcare back to Westport Quay. The total route is about 35km.
🚍 Buses will leave Westport Quay at 7am with everyone walking by 8am. We have portaloos in 2 locations along the way and while most of the route is off the main roads it is easy to arrange a pick up if any one decides to opt out along the route.
 It is a really well marked beautiful walk on our doorsteps and a great way to contribute to an organisation which does so much for the people of Mayo.
If you are interested in taking part, call or text me on 087 6624898.
If anyone would like to contribute, you can do so on this link – https://www.idonate.ie/…/11448012_western-care-annual…
🙏100% of the proceeds go directly to Western Care.

 

 

 

 

The Free Flowing of Giving

A sale of Art work in aid of Western Care Association exhibited in the Custom House Studio + Gallery Westport Quay

From Thursday 16th December 2021 to Sunday 16th January 2022

Celebrating all who give freely of their time, talents and effort to help others.

The Art will also be available to purchase on www.westerncare.com,
Further details will be available soon.
Your Support will be greatly appreciated.

 

Mayo Christmas Tree of Remembrance

Castlebar Rotary Club has announced that its flagship fundraising project, the Christmas Tree of Remembrance, will run online again this year throughout the month of December in partnership with Western Care Association.

The purpose of the Tree of Remembrance is to afford everybody an opportunity to remember their loved ones at Christmas, both living and deceased, by placing a ribbon and a dedication in their honour on this virtual Christmas Tree.

The reasons to remember our loved ones are endless and personal to everybody and all dedications on this Tree will be included in the 10 am Mass on New Years’ Eve in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

There is also an opportunity to make a voluntary donation in support of Western Care Association’s latest project, to equip a new hub at Chapel Street, Castlebar. This hub is designed to assist the specific learning needs of people aged between 18-25 with an intellectual disability or with autism.   All donations go directly to Western Care for this project.

The Virtual Christmas Tree of Remembrance can be accessed at:

https://visufund.com/2021-mayo-tree-of-remembrance

In launching the event, Rotary Club President Paul Kilcourse said: “Sadly, due to Covid-19, we are unable to host our usual Christmas Tree of Remembrance on Hopkins Road, Castlebar. However, we are delighted to have a virtual Tree of Remembrance in partnership with Western Care Association to support the vital services it provides to our community. We are appealing to Mayo people at home and overseas to visit our Virtual Tree of Remembrance website and participate in this very unique way of remembering your loved ones at Christmas”.

Teresa Ward, Fundraising & Development Manager with Western Care Association, said: “Our organisation exists to empower people with a wide range of learning and associated disabilities to live full and satisfied lives as equal citizens. Western Care relies heavily on public support, and we have experienced many challenges during this last two years. We are very thankful to Castlebar Rotary Club for choosing us as their charity partner for this project”.

Western Care Association’s Annual Door To Door Collection

Unfortunately the Annual Western Care Association Door to Door collection is unable to take place again this year in its usual way, our organisation must protect our valuable and dedicated volunteers who have supported Western Care over many years. However, when one door closes another door opens, we now have the opportunity to reach out to not only our longstanding donors but also to the doors that were never knocked upon, in our own local communities and to you, the Mayo diaspora all over the world who can now support their Mayo Charity with the click of a button!
To donate, find us on Facebook “Western Care Association” or on www.idonate.ie/wcadoor or find the link on our website (www.westerncare.com)
If you would like to donate in any other way, (Cheque, Postal Order or Bank Transfer) contact Teresa on 087 246 7857.
Your support to Western Care Association is needed now more than ever, we appreciate your continued support to Western Care Association your Mayo Charity. Thank you.
All donations are processed securely.

Tower to Tower (Balla to Aughagower)

On September 4th we will be walking from Tower to Tower (Balla to Aughagower 40km) to fundraise for Western Care Association . All funds raised here will go directly to this great cause.

Last year a group of 32 people did the 40km Bangor Trail so hoping this year we can get 40 people to complete the Croagh Patrick Trail from Balla to Aughagower.

We are asking each participant to just raise €100 so we can guarantee Western Care a minimum of €4,000.  We will organise transportation for everone to Balla with pick ups at Aughagower (if you wish to leave a car here), Westport, Islandeady and Castlebar.

There are stop off options along the route like Clogher, Ballintubber or Killavally if the feet decide they have had enough! It is a relatively flat route with a nice mixture of local roads and trails. Underfoot conditions tend to be good.
Details of route – http://walks.mayo.ie/WalkingTrails/LocalisedLoopWalks/CroaghPatrickHeritageTrail/

 

Simply click the Donate link here. All donations are processed securely.
Please feel free to share the details and everyone is very welcome. You can contact Peter on 087 6624898 if you want any more details
Many Thanks for your support.

Annual Western Care Association Kathleen Conneely Memorial walk on Clare Island

Due to the current Covid-19 situation we find ourselves in, we can’t hold our Annual Western Care Association Kathleen Conneely Memorial walk on Clare Island as we have throughout the years so this year will be abit different.

 

We are inviting all of our old and new friends of the Kathleen Conneely Memorial walk to visit Clare Island during the month of July as part of our month long walking event and share your journey with us on Social Media from the Dolphins swimming side by side the ferry to all the landmarks on the island. You choose the day of your trip out to Clare Island during July as part of the Western Care Association Kathleen Conneely Memorial walk.

 

Cost for an adult is €30, U-18s €10 and a family rate is €75 (2Adults and 3 U-18s) which includes return ferry from Roonagh Pier with O’Grady’s ferry co. Buy Tickets online at: www.njuko.net/clareislandwalk

 

Departure from Roonagh Pier with O’Grady’s Ferries, please meet @ 10.30am for 11.00am Ferry; Return Ferries at 4.45 & 6pm.

 

For more information contact:

Western Care Association: 094 9029144

email: mflanagan@westerncare.com

Or see: www.westerncareassociation.com

 

We ask that all visitors please adhere to government advice regarding Covid-19 and social distancing on the trip.

 

See the Clare Island website for detailed information on the island www.clareisland.ie/

 

If you can’t make the trip but would still like to make a donation to the event, you can access our donation page on iDonate here: https://www.idonate.ie/…/11407784_clare-island-walk…

 

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭!!

Poster

Tour of Lough Conn Charity Cycle, June Bank Holiday Weekend, 5th – 7th June

 

Western Care Association’s Annual Tour of Lough Conn Charity Cycle is proud to announce that it will be taking part in a virtual setting this year from the 5th – 7th of June, complete the 45km or 85km distance in a day or over the bank holiday weekend. Registration is open now and will be open until the 7th of June. The event is open to Cyclists of all abilities, we want you to get on your bike and start exploring county Mayo again and share your journey with us by tagging the Western Care Association and or Cluainin Resource Centre, Crossmolina Facebook and Instagram pages with your post with the hashtag #TourofLoughConn.

 

Registration is €20 and our online registration site can be found here at www.njuko.net/tour-of-lough-conn/register/66160, an idonate.ie fundraising page will automatically be set up for you, a link to activate your idonate.ie  fundraising page will be included in an email if you would like to activate and promote it, please contact Michael at Western Care Association should you need any assistance with registration, P: 094 9029144 E: mflanagan@westerncare.com.

Join in our Virtual Candlelight evening on Sat 13th February,  from Hogs Heaven at 8pm.

Be part of this amazing night by purchasing a raffle ticket

Donate Here 🔽
www.idonate.ie/wcacandlelightevening

 

Watch the show on YouTube (Link will be live at 8PM)🔽
https://bit.ly/2YViyqe

Or

Live streaming on Facebook from 8PM🔽
Western Care Association www.facebook.com/westerncareassociation/

 

 

Around the Globe in 80 Days

Western Care Association are going to travel around the globe virtually to raise funds to enhance services throughout the county, we NEED your help to complete this challenge.

We are looking for 150 volunteers to walk, jog or run virtually around the globe in aid of Western Care Association, starting from 12th of January to 2nd April 2021. That’s 40,075 km in 80 Days and which is 500km a day, this is a mammoth challenge, people can talk about it for years after, but we need your help. Our aim is to raise a euro for every km our teams of volunteers complete, 40,075km = €40,075.

Contact the fundraising department to find out how you can be involved in something big and help Western Care Association travel around the world virtually by contacting Michael at mflanagan@westerncare.com.

 

Keep up to date by visiting our Facebook and Instagram pages!!

Benefits

  • Health & Fitness
  • Improved Mental health
  • Fun & easy way to fundraise
  • Team Building & competition
  • Social Interaction
  • Supporting your own local charity

 

 

Fundraising & Development Department

 

After more than 50 years, Western Care Association’s Annual Door To Door Collection is now going online for the month of September.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges it has presented to us, our organisation must protect our valuable and dedicated volunteers who have supported Western Care over many years. However, when one door closes another door opens and we now have the opportunity to reach out even further. Not only to our longstanding donors who have kept this campaign alive, but to all the doors that were never knocked upon before in our own local communities. We are delighted that we can now share this opportunity with you, the Mayo diaspora all over the world, who can support their Mayo Charity with the click of a button!

To donate, find us on Facebook “Western Care Association” or on www.idonate.ie/wcadoor or find the link on our website (www.westerncare.com)

Your support would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Donating to Western Care Association: 

Once Off or Regular Donations can be made by any of the following online options:

  • Once off donations can be made safely and securely through iDonate by clicking here.
  • Regular/Monthly donations can be set up safely and securely through iDonate by clicking here you decide on the regular/monthly amount and the duration of the donations.

Regarding all donations, please remember, you can nominate a specific centre, group home, service, to benefit from the proceeds. You may also qualify for Tax Relief.

Charitable Bequests:

Why not include a legacy or bequest to Western Care Association in your will? The bequest can be for a specific amount of money, a specific asset, a percent of the estate or the residuary estate and can be allocated to a specific Western Care Association service or Group Home.  Please contact your solicitor or the Fundraising department for further details.

 

Commitment to Standards in Fundraising Practice

Western Care Association is fully committed to achieving the standards contained in the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising, which have been developed by the Irish Charities Tax Research Ltd (ICTR). We have formally discussed and adopted the statement at a meeting of our Board of Directors.

The statement exists to:

  • Improve fundraising practice.
  • Promote high levels of accountability and transparency by organisations fundraising from the public.
  • Provide clarity and assurances to donors and prospective donors about the organisations they support.

Western Care Association have considered the statement, and believe that we meet the standards it sets out.

Western Care Association’s report on our fundraising activities is available in our most recent Annual Report.

Western Care Association welcome feedback from the public on our performance in relation to our fundraising practice, as set out in our Feedback & Complaints statement.

For more information about ICTR’s Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising, see the Fundraising Principles section of the ICTR website, www.ictr.ie/content/fundraising-codes-practice.

Contact Details

Tia Crowley,

Director of Finance & Corporate Services,

Western Care Association,

John Moore Road,

Castlebar,

Co Mayo

Telephone: 0949025133

Email: tcrowley@westerncare.com

Web: www.westerncare.com

Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Donor Charter

As a charity seeking donations from the public, Western Care Association is committed to and aims to comply with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising. Our pledge is to treat all of our donors with respect, honesty and openness. We commit to being accountable and transparent so that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in Western Care Association. We commit that you under our Donor Charter will:

  • Beprovided with access to our most recent audited financial statements.
  • Be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and confidentiality.
  • Be assured that donations will be acknowledged in an appropriate and timely fashion.
  • Be assured that donations will be used for the purposes for which they were given, and in the best interests of
    those to whom we provide supports and services.
  • Be informed of the identity of those sitting on Western Care Association’s Board of Directors, and that those Directors will exercise prudent judgement in their responsibilities.
  • Be provided with easy access to our procedure for giving feedback and making complaints in relation to
    donations and fundraising activities.

Feedback & Complaints in relation to Donations and Fundraising activities

Western Care Association is very grateful to the public and those that support us, financially and otherwise. We are committed to achieving the highest standards in fundraising practice, and we will listen and respond to the views of the public, members of the organisation and staff, and our supporters, so that we can continue to improve our practice. Western Care Association welcomes both positive and negative feedback in relation to our fundraising activities.

In relation to feedback and complaints, we aim to ensure that:

  • It is as easy as possible to give feedback or make a complaint.
  • We treat all complaints seriously.
  • We attend to feedback and complaints in a responsive and speedy manner.
  • We will respond with clear explanation, and any appropriate necessary action to deal with issues raised.

You can give feedback or make a complaint by:

  • By writing to Director of Finance & Corporate Services, Western Care Association, John Moore
    Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
  • By email to info@westerncare.com
  • By telephone to our offices at +353 (0)949025133

Complaints

In general, any person with an issue or concern around fundraising or donations should discuss this with the person they are dealing with in the organisation in the first instance. Most issues can be resolved informally in this way.

Where it is not possible or appropriate to deal with your issue in this way, you should set out your complaint, and refer it to the Director of Finance & Corporate Services, contact details above. The issue raised will be discussed with the relevant person dealing with this within Western Care Association, and following this a response will issue to you. This should be done within seven days in normal circumstances, and if further time is required to gather information to deal with the matter, this will be communicated to you.

If you are dissatisfied with the response you receive, and feel that your complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily, you can refer your complaint to Marian Murphy, Training & Development Manager, Western Care Association, John Moore Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo, mmurphy@westerncare.com, who will investigate your complaint fully and endeavour to resolve it. This process should normally be completed within 10 days.

Disclosure Statement

Western Care Association is open about whether those seeking donations on our behalf are volunteers or employees of Western Care Association. We do not use third party agents to fundraise on our behalf.

Anyone fundraising on behalf of Western Care Association must ensure that prospective donors are aware of their status, i.e. whether they are volunteers or employees of Western Care Association