SERVICE TO AUTISM HONOURED
Moyra Woodworth has received a Cork Person of the Month award to mark her 35 years of service for those with autism, and for helping to establish the Cork Association for Autism (CAA).
Thirty-five years ago, two devastating events changed Moyra’s life forever. Her husband of 12 years was killed in the Buttevant rail disaster and her daughter Corinne was diagnosed with autism.
At that time, owing to the lack of support for children with autism, she helped establish the CAA and was at the forefront of the fundraising drive in the late 1980s, which established Greenville House in Carrigtwohill as a Service Centre and Home for 13 adults with autism.
Since then, the CAA has developed six two-bedroomed cottages at Greenville with greenhouse and gardens, so that clients and residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables. Two hundred and fifty adults with autism now receive support from the CAA, and four other Service Centres have been opened in Cork to meet the ever growing demand.
Moyra’s name also goes forward, with the other Persons of Month chosen this year, for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at a Gala Awards Lunch on January 15th next.
Moyra was one of those interviewed on the Cork County Matters Show which was filmed at the opening of their Sensory Gardens in July at Greenville House which can be watched at this link: http://www.irishtv.ie/cork-matters-57
Photo Caption
Moyra Woodworth who received the Cork Person of the Month award to mark 35 years of service for those with autism, and for helping to establish the Cork Association for Autism, pictured with her family and Pat Lemasney, Southern Advertising (sponsor); Niamh Lehane, Lexus Cork (sponsor); George Duggan, Cork Crystal (sponsor), Manus O’Callaghan, awards organiser and Marion Courtney Fundraising Manager at the Cork Association for Autism. Picture: Tony O’Connell