Close friends Sharon Greene and Maggie Green are preparing to take a 100 feet leap of faith together for a charity challenge. 

On the 9th of June 2018, the brave Donegal women will abseil off the roof of Croke Park in Dublin to raise funds for Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI). It is a cause that is close to Buncrana native Maggie’s heart, and the abseil will be a further challenge for her as she has MS.

Maggie and Sharon have been friends since they started secondary school together in Loreto Convent 25 years ago and have been through a lot together, so when Maggie suggested doing an abseil for autism at Croke Park Sharon didn’t hesitate even for a second, it was a resounding yes!

Sharon Greene and Maggie Green

Sharon, from Letterkenny, is a Systems Manager in Pramerica and Maggie teaches in the recently opened Autism Unit, An Comhar, in Letterkenny Educate Together National School.

Autism is a central part of Maggie’s life and she has spent over a decade studying autism so that she can support the children she works with.

“Having Sharon beside me for this means the world to me. I’ve seen how Autism Assistance Dogs can change the lives of the children and families they work with, this is such a worthy cause so I am really hoping we can raise as much as possible for AADI,” Maggie said.

“I hope that by sharing information about what we are doing we can in some way raise more awareness of autism and encourage people to support AADI”, said Maggie.

“I have been really lucky in the course of my career to work with incredible children who have changed the way I teach and who have taught me so much more than I could ever teach them.”

Maggie Green and Sharon Greene

Sharon is very excited about the abseil too, saying: “When Maggie asked me to do this I said yes right away. I’m doing it to support a good cause close to a dear friend’s heart. I believe that animals have an amazing impact on children, especially those with autism, the work that AADI do is amazing.”

Maggie has two children, Abigail (7) and Conor (6) who will be there to support her on the day along with her partner Danny McFadden.

As Maggie has MS she had to have a stand in just in case her condition prevents her from doing the abseil. Danny has very kindly agreed to be Maggie’s replacement in the event that she can’t do the abseil.

Croke Park Abseil. Photo: crokepark.ie

Maggie added: “Autism is an integral part of our household and Danny is 100% behind me… I’m very glad that he is my stand in, hopefully I’ll be in good health but it’s reassuring to know that Danny will be there if I’m not.”

Sharon’s two sons Tristan (3) and Sebastian (5) will be there on the day to cheer on their super talented mum.

“I’m so lucky to have a best friend willing to abseil 100 feet just because I asked her to .. that’s true friendship!,” Sharon said.

If you would like to support this wonderful cause you can donate to Sharon or Maggie’s fundraising pages.

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11368667_maggie-green-s-page.html

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11369161_sharon-greene-s-page.html