Thank you for the continued support and donations for our
​charity shop in Celbridge Village

You help support the St Raphaels Special Olympics Team and lots of other skills teaching experiences 

You help us to run much loved social events
​like the Annual Dinner Dance
 ​

Latest News
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Latest News
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Latest News
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Funded Projects

d  Housing

We have provided funds to refurbish new houses in the community. 

Assistive Tech n

With your support we provided ten Day services with iPads and switches to support the new Assistive technology department.

x  Self Advocacy

With your support, ten self-advocates attended Advocacy training in DCU.

g  Gardens

With your support we built
‘​The Serenity Garden’ at St.Raphaels, Celbridge.

Social Farm 1

We supported a number of people to take part in rewarding activities like the social farming project. 

i​  School

With your support we were able to provide funding to purchase new smart boards for the school.

About

St.Raphaels Parents and Friends Association 

A Company limited by guarantee (CRO No. 37145), a registered charity (Number: 20009960) & exempt from tax (CHY No. 6005)

St Raphael’s Parents and Friends Association was set up in 1962. Since then, it has worked tirelessly to advocate for and support the development of Saint John of God Kildare Services.

The Committee organises a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Please visit our Facebook page for more information. We hold our Annual General Meeting in October / November each year. 

New parents and friends are always welcome. The Parents and Friends Association celebrated our 50th anniversary in September 2012 with the installation of the serenity garden in St Raphael’s Celbridge. In the 10 years since, we continue to fund projects as can be seen above.

The Parents and Friends Association have provided much needed assistance through their tireless fundraising and improving the lives of people with disability .
Parent

Interested in receiving our latest news?

Personal Stories 

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    My earliest recollection of the residents of St Raphael’s, is of a Sunday afternoon in the late fifties, hanging out with them outside the village chip shop after the pictures in the town hall. Other memories from that time includes accompanying service user Peter Clerken along Tay Lane after school, when he was bringing the cattle from the bottom field (current sports field) back to the farm yard for milking. In the late sixties and early Seventies, I got to know more of the lads when on occasion I would bring my brother Paul to school in St Raphael’s. In 1966 I started helping my dad preparing for the fete. I remember going to the fruit and vegetable markets in Dublin with my dad, Ben McDonald and founding member Tom Lynham to collect fruit and vegetables for the veg stall. The Fete was a two-day affair back then. In the seventies my dad recruited me as a bingo volunteer. I’m still trying to escape.I first served on the Parents and Friends Association from 1979 for a short few years and continually since 1998, in 2009 I was elected chairperson. I am always amazed at the dedication and commitment of staff; they really go that extra mile to ensure that the service users achieve their potential. I particularly enjoy my visits to the school, it’s a deeply humbling experience to witness the patience and love that the staff have for these little angels. To witness the fantastic work that is done in the school or the units is a deeply satisfying and rewarding experience, it reinforces my will and commitment to carry on volunteering.

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    I have been volunteering at the Fete for over thirty years. Every night for the month of June I help in the preparation and also during the day when they need me. I live in Priory Way Celbridge so its not too far to travel. My main job when we are getting things ready is helping with collecting furniture in the van and storing it in the tents.On the day I work as a car park steward. I do spend quite a bit of time helping at the fete but I really enjoy helping, the craic and a few pints at the end.Interview with Bobby McDonald

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    I have been volunteering at the Fete since the early Seventies, I was introduced by Cathal O Feinneadha. I help out four to Five times a week for the month of June. I travel from work in UCD Belfield by bus to Celbridge to help get everything ready for the Fete. Then every evening I get a bus to Houston Station and then I get the Luas home to Tallaght. Its a bit of a treck but its worth it. I don’t have a particular job; I just do whatever I’m asked to do.There has been many changes since the introduction of marquees. It makes the job much easier.The reason I spend so much time helping at the fete is because I came to school in St Raphael’s from Cavan in 1963 and I enjoy coming back to St Raphael’s each year and meeting all my friends and making new friends.

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Volunteers Wanted

1. Send us your details

2. We will contact you

Please fill out your details and we will be in touch shortly. ​Let us know when might be a good time to contact you and what area you would like to volunteer. We have great rewarding opportunities in our shop, for our collection days, during our social events, at our weekly bingo and other Association activities.

3. Start 

Everyone in the Parent and Friends Association are volunteers. We would not be able to continue the great work with out your help and support.

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Events 

We would love to hear from you with your stories, photo’s and comments so please email us:

tinfo@straphaelspfa.ie

Our Shop

Great items in stock in our shop

Main Street Celbridge,

Co. Kildare


Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 1​0am – 4pm

Saturday 10am – 2pm