Diana's "Climb High" to raise funds for autism dogs

A 12-year old student in Tullamore Educate Together school will take part in an extremely difficult obstacle course challenge this weekend to raise vital funds for Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI).

Sports-mad Diana Sikora will take part in “Climb High for AADI” at the Ziplit Forest Adventure Course in Roscommon on Saturday, April 30, and is hoping to raise at least €250 towards the cost of training autism assistance dogs.

According to her mother, Katarzyna, Diana is a “very sensitive and caring girl” who decided to take part in the fundraiser as she knows “a few children with autism” and wanted to do something to try to make their lives a bit easier.

“When she heard about the autism assistance dogs and how much they can transform the lives of a family she was determined to raise funds for such a worthy cause” says her mum.

Katarzyna and her husband, Maciej, have been living in Tullamore since 2005 when they came to Ireland from their native Poland. Diana and her two siblings 10-year old Paula and 3 year old Victoria, were born in Ireland and the family have been happily settled in Eiscir Meadows for a number of years.

As well as being caring and sensitive, the Sikora’s eldest daughter is also very sporty and is involved in many sports, including basketball, swimming, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, athletics, soccer and football. She is also a member of Tullamore Scouts.

The “Climb High for AADI” is taking place on the last day of Autism Awareness Month, which ran right throughout Aprill, and the in-person challenge requires participants to complete the three toughest circuits on the Ziplit course, which are colour-coded in white, blue and red.

Each circuit is made up of an obstacle course, with the white circuit taking participants as high as 10m above ground, the blue circuit as high as 15m and the toughest circuit, in red, involving a nerve-wracking 20m above ground.

Tickets for the event are priced at €35 each, and all participants are asked to aim to raise an additional €250. Diana Sikora’s fundraising page link is: https://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie/s/2825/2802

It costs €22,000 and takes up to two years to train and place an autism assistance dog. Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland do not charge families for these life-changing dogs, with the charity being entirely supported by fundraising and donations.

“These dogs can literally change a child’s life, and that is what Diana is hoping to do by raising funds towards the cost of these dogs, so we are really hoping that everyone can show their support by giving whatever they can towards her fundraising drive on Saturday” says her mum, Katarzyna.

To donate to Diana Sikora’s fundraising drive please go to: : https://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie/s/2825/2802 and give whatever you can.