Anna Ward Supports “Tomorrow For Tomás”

By Liam Cosgrove

Anna Ward Supports “Tomorrow For Tomás”

Anna, eldest daughter of John and Mairan – the duo behind Kariba's,  reached out at the end of her summer and cut her hair for a very worthy and special cause!

Anna is 11 years old from Creagh, currently in 6th class in Creagh NS and is looking forward to moving to Ardscoil Mhuire next year. She is an athletic girl and is involved in many clubs across the town such as the swimming and athletics club, a member of the U12 football team and is a member of the In-Step Dancing School.

Tomás is a 10 year old from Corofin with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, his Dad Shane is was raised in the Pines , Portnick ( was a barman for John in his years in Main St.)  and his Grandand is John Mc Loughlin – a retired psychiatric nurse and former Credit Union dedicated Board member.  Born 26 weeks early, he and his twin arrived unexpectedly into the world. Sadly, his brother Seán passed away after 30 days.

Tomás is a bright, chatty boy but has no independent movement. As Tomás will require life-long supports and very costly equipment, his parents, Ann-Marie and Shane began a fundraising group called Tomorrow for Tomás. Fundraising events from last year were put towards the purchase of a Powered Wheelchair costing €20,000.

Tomorrow for Tomás aims to raise funds so that the family home can be adapted for Tomás’ living and care needs, as well as ensuring safe and easy access about the house and garden on his new wheels! This requires Disability Access Survey of the house and installing of an accessible washroom & toilet, accessible furniture for meal times installation of specially adapted switch devices, adapting doors and entrances for wheelchair access. The estimated cost of the above is €30,000. As well as practical needs, Tomás requires on-going multi-disciplinary and medical care which is extremely costly. 

In late September, Anna had the team at Utopia Hair Salon in Society Street sponsor the cutting of  14 inches off of her hair in aid of raising funds for Tomás. She donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation which is  for real hair wigs for children in need.
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Donations can still be made at the restaurant or on www.idonate.ie/annaward. Check out Tomás’ Facebook page  ‘Tomorrow for Tomás’ (below) for more information, videos and photos. Anna has raised over €1,800 online already so far and the closing date for donations is October 30.