Gerald Kean offers €10,000 for Down Syndrome centre

Celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean has pledged €10,000 towards a Down Syndrome Ireland Centre of Excellence in County Laois.

Mr Kean met members of the Laois branch of Down Syndrome Ireland at the Killenard Gala Ball last month, the Leinster Express reports.

The charity, which supports people with Down Syndrome and their families, wants to establish a centre to help members gain basic work skills and find meaningful employment.

Mr Kean has offered €10,000 to the project if land can also be secured.

The branch is hoping for a donation of three to four acres of land in the Portlaoise / Abbeyleix area.

Mick Gorman of Laois Down Syndrome told the Leinster Express: “We have great plans for the future for people with an intellectual difficulty here in Laois if this opportunity can gain traction.

“The people of Laois have never let us down in the past and I do not expect that we will be let down this time either.

“Gerald Keane’s generous offer to get us started has been a huge boost. Fingers crossed that we can complete the deal.”