Laois Autism charity's 'Rainbow Day' fundraiser raises over €10,000

Laois Offaly Families for Autism held their Rainbow Day before Easter

Pictured: LOFFA's Rainbow Day collection in Portlaoise Plaza saw many people donating

Reporter:

Hannah Cahill

25 Apr 2025 7:54 AM

Email:

hannah.cahill@leinsterexpress.ie

Laois Offaly Families For Autism (LOFFA) held their annual Rainbow Day fundraiser on Friday April 7.

Over 160 businesses and 70 schools took part in the fundraiser, and LOFFA are still collecting the raised funds. So far, LOFFA are happy to report that they have raised over €10,000.

"The committee are on the road the last few days collecting buckets from the businesses who have taken part," a LOFFA spokesperson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"There is still lots to collect, but we are over the €10,000 mark at the moment."

Last year, the charity raised over €35,000 through their Rainbow Day fundraiser.

Pictured: Some of LOFFA's many collection buckets issued on Rainbow Day

LOFFA Chairperson Breda Murray spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois live to praise Laois locals for their dedication.

"A public house in the small village of Ballacolla, Laois raised a massive €490 for Rainbow Day," she said.

"The landylady Loretta Kirwan Finan donated a fabulous Easter Hamper herself and raffled it off on Easter Monday in the pub. A big thank you to Loretta, staff and all customers who bought tickets," Ms Murray said.

"It is looking like this was our biggest Rainbow Day yet. The people in Laois Offaly are just fantastic, we have had so much support over the last four years and we would like to sincerely thank them."

Over 230 collection buckets were issued by the charity, with many of them still to be collected.

Portarlington Credit Union donated a whopping €1,000 towards Rainbow Day, and Rathdowney business Michelle's Cakes and Bakes raised an inspiring €1,600.

Shanahoe NS and Banrashrone NS were happy to report that they each had raised over €150, with students dressing in rainbow colours on the day.

With more donations still to be counted, the final figure raised on Rainbow Day is yet to be announced.

LOFFA is a local, non-profit charity based in Laois and Offaly who support the membership of over 100 local families who have a child with a diagnosis of autism.

All funds raised go directly to subsidising private therapies for members, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Play Therapy, Behavioural therapy and Counselling.

Loffa also offers a programme of social events to families such a swimming, cinema, family outings, coffee morning and monthly meetings.

You can donate to LOFFA here.

See More: Laois woman launches fundraiser to pay for €7,000 fencing to contain 'escape artist' pig

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now

Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

Iconic Print Titles

Letterkenny Live

This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

Laois Autism charity's 'Rainbow Day' fundraiser raises over €10,000

Laois Offaly Families for Autism held their Rainbow Day before Easter

See More: Laois woman launches fundraiser to pay for €7,000 fencing to contain 'escape artist' pig

Where community comes first: Portarlington Credit Union marks International Credit Union Day

Celebrating women in business: Laois entrepreneurs shine on National Women’s Enterprise Day

The little-known Budget 2026 measures you might have missed including €325 payment

‘Disgraceful’ - Mixed reactions to Budget 2026 as multiple groups hit out at Government

Budget 2026 Calculator: How much will I get as a worker, parent or pensioner?

In PICTURES Memory Lane: Lots to celebrate in Laois

In PICTURES Memory Lane: Super Laois GAA Senior hurling final celebrations

In Pictures Memory Lane: Laois stars shine and lots more

In PICTURES Memory Lane: Laois celebrates GAA, soccer and motorway

In Pictures Memory Lane SPECIAL: Portlaoise hospital staff celebrate and work in Laois

We've got Donegal Covered...

Buy a paper

Get the news