Mayo school to hold fundraiser for artificial grass area

Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche will be holding a ball run fundraiser to gather funds for an artificial grass area.

The event is set to take place Sunday, June 9 between 2 and 4pm at the school.

The Westport school, with 200 pupils and 13 teachers, currently has a concrete play area for younger children, surrounded by a grass area, but between constant rain and drainage issues, it has led to unfavourable conditions for the children. 

Alan O'Brien from the Parents Committee told The Mayo News that the increased levels of rainfall in the last few years has ‘compromised’ this area. 

“Artificial grass on this space would be of a huge benefit to all our children,” said Mr O’Brien.

He continued: “At the Gaelscoil we strive to encourage all children, girls and boys, to participate in sports throughout the year and to foster a lifelong love of sports, like camogie and football. A grassed area would be of great assistance to us continuing our efforts.

“Also, since we started on this quest we are seeing that best practice in schools today is the installation of artificial grass rather than astro turf, which will be our solution. It will also be an amenity which we hope will benefit the wider community and local sports clubs, and this is all down to the supporters of this ball run,” he said.

_{The flyer for the fundraiser} 

A unique approach to fundraising, the ball run will see a bulldozer release balls down a ramp, which the committee has constructed and stands at 14 feet high, and be directed into a designated area. The first 20 balls to reach the end will be collected.

Initial tests videos are available to view on the school’s Instagram page. 

“On the day, we will conduct multiple ball drops using a digger. From each drop, the first 20 balls will advance to a final round. The ultimate prize winners will be determined during this last drop,” explained Mr O’Brien.

There will be 20 prizes given away on the day with a total value approximately €8000.

Some of the winnings include a €1500 Center Parcs voucher, a stay in Westport, and an iPhone 15 Pro.

Tickets for the fundraiser are available to purchase via GoFundMe , just enter your details and each €10 buys you a ball.

Alternatively, you can put your name down and pay cash in local Westport businesses such as Chilli Coffee Shop, Berrys Stationery Shop, Christine's, O’Briens, McLaughlins, SuperValu, Lally Pharmacy, Express cleaning, and Grays Barbershop.

Entries cost €10 per ball. 

The parents' committee invited any of the town's business community who would like to donate towards the amenity, to contact 087 9072058 or 089 2518830.