Laois gets ready to support Rainbow Day for autism awareness

Communities and businesses across Laois are getting ready to support Rainbow Day on April 26 to fundraise and raise awareness of autism. 

This is the fourth annual Rainbow Day being run by Laois Offaly Families For Autism (LOFFA), a fundraising event which is vital for supporting families across the two counties. 

This week Leinster Express/Laois Live spoke to Chair of LOFFA Breda Murray about the huge amount of support being shown again this year. 

"This is our fourth annual Rainbow Day which is fantastic and it is getting bigger and bigger every year which we are delighted with," said Breda. 

"We ask all our members to contact a local business near them, be it a hotel, chemist, pub, or a shop and ask them if they would like to take part. If they say yes then we give them a letter, a poster and bucket. It's very simple, they put the bucket on top of their counter. 

"A lot of businesses will leave the bucket up for the month of April because April is autism awareness. It's quite easy to get involved just contact LOFFA for anyone who wants to take part.

"On the day we ask staff in businesses to wear a coloured top. A lot of businesses go all out, they put balloons in the shop and they wear coloured tops and some of them spray their hair and the public can donate what they want into the bucket.

"We also invite all the schools to take part in Laois Offaly and they are asked to wear a coloured top on the Friday and they put a euro into the bucket.
 
"For those that may not be out and about or would like to donate online we have our website where you can donate."

LOFFA has 170 families registered with them this year which has increased substantially from 40 families four years ago. 

The charity subsidises private therapies, speech therapy, occupational therapy, counselling, behavioural therapy as well as important days out for families and educational workshops. On average they spend €30,000 per year on therapies alone. 

"We have 170 families registered and we are closed for this year as we can only take so many families per year," explained Breda. 

"There are families receiving a diagnosis every week and there are only ten on the committee. We are all volunteers so there is only so much we can do."

Last year's Rainbow Day brought in €31,000 with all money raised going back to the families of Laois and Offaly. 

As well as raising vital funds Rainbow Day is all about educating people about autism and raising awareness. 

Breda said there is now a lot more awareness about autism in our communities but she said there is still a long way to go in terms of acceptance. 

"This autism journey can be very lonely. Your family and friends can be great to you but it's really other parents, they get it," she said. 

"A lot of families want to come on the days out. It's a very relaxing, safe environment for them.

"There is more awareness out there but acceptance has a long way to come through public education. It will be a long road ahead. 

"With Rainbow Day we want to get the word out. We want people to learn about autism, even if it's just one person."

If you would like to get involved in this year's Rainbow Day on April 26 you can contact LOFFA through email: info@loffa.ie or through their Facebook page.