Adventure athlete and motivational speaker Mark Pollock has been unveiled as keynote speaker at the forthcoming Change a Little Change a Lot Accessibility Gala Awards which take place in Letterkenny on 30th May.
Mark sent a personal message to organisers via video link at this week’s launch saying “he wanted to say thank you to those organisations who are ambassadors for change.”
It was also announced that Junior Minister for Health Kathleen Lynch TD who has responsibility for Disability and Junior Minister Jennifer Mc Cann MLA from the Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister will deliver keynote addresses at this cross border event.
The event honours organisations from Donegal and Strabane who successfully made changes to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Donegal County Council is supporting the event as main sponsor and hosted the launch at its offices in County House, Lifford.
Mayor Frank McBrearty says, “Mark Pollock’s inspiring story is matched by the inspiring commitment made by 40 organisations in Donegal and Strabane who will be honoured on the 30th May. If we are to effect real change in relation to accessibility for people with disabilities in the North West then we need to follow the example of the organisations who are taking part in the Change a Little Change a Lot Accessibility Awards. Donegal County Council is delighted to be on board as we are committed to making Donegal an inclusive society for all.”
Funding for the Change a Little Change a Lot project has been provided by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, secured by Co-operation and Working Together’s (CAWT) Community Awareness Programme.
Commenting, CAWT’s Deputy Chief Officer, Edel O’Doherty said: “The HSE and the Western Trust, as CAWT partner organisations, have endorsed the Community Awareness Programme and this awards campaign.
“The valuable EU funding secured has supported the creation of an environment in both Donegal and Strabane Council areas whereby services and facilities are more accessible to people with disabilities. I am delighted that the efforts of local organisations will be recognised at this high profile event.”
Delivering a special video message from London Mark Pollock said he was inspired by the uniqueness of the campaign and decided to get on board.
“When I heard what was happening in the North West I was intrigued. I spend my daily life trying to access information, places, people, products and services and require assistance at every point. To see a region actually leading from the front to improve the lives of people with disabilities is truly humbling. I look forward to meeting those 40 organisations in May.”
Mark Pollock’s story is one that has been told across the world given its uniqueness. Mark was deemed medically blind at the age of 22.
Not deterred by his impairment, Mark competed in ultra endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including an epic two-month expedition race to the South Pole. He won silver and bronze rowing in the Commonwealth Games.
But in July 2010 the challenge chose Mark. A tragic fall left him paralysed. Now Mark is a pioneer for research on spinal cord injury recovery.
On Thursday 30th May in the Clanree Hotel Letterkenny, 40 accessibility award-winning organisations will converge. Eight Change a Little, Change a Lot Accessibility Awards category winners will be chosen and one overall Change a Little, Change a Lot Accessibility award winner will be announced at the gala ceremony.
View Mark Pollock’s video message on the Change a Little Change a Lot You Tube Channel or at this link: http://youtu.be/80LyCca9lws
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