‘Gemma’s light continues to shine on local pupils’

Charity set up in memory of road crash victim provides vital mental health services to six primary schools

STIRRING children’s imaginations, colouring their lives with positivity and creativity, and improving their mental health is the aim of the Gemma McHale Foundation, who have worked valiantly over the past year to provide local pupils with vital wellbeing services.

Despite the challenging and uncertain times that the foundation faced in 2020 and this year due to the icy grips of Covid-19, the charity were still able to successfully provide the pupils of St Caireall’s, Aghyaran; Killen PS; St Patrick’s PS, Castlederg; St Edwards, Castlederg; St Eugene’s, Victoria Bridge; and St Columba’s, Clady with professional counselling, mindfulness activities, and a wellbeing programme, titled ‘Relax Kids’.

As well as hosting well-attended fundraising virtual walks and cycles, the Foundation were also able to secure £10,000 from The National Lottery ‘Awards For All’ grant, which put in place the provision of one-to-one or small group counselling in the aforementioned schools.

Similarly, the ‘Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’ award of £4,020, plus kind grants from Craighshane Windfarm and ‘The Tyrone Fund’, ensured that the mindfulness and ‘Relax Kids’ programmes were available to most children.

Reflecting upon a whirlwind year of tribulations and triumphs, Siobhan McHale of the charity – which was set up in the memory of Gemma McHale, who sadly died in a road traffic accident in May 2012 – has thanked everyone for their support.

“Gemma’s wee light continues to shine in the lives of our local primary school children,” she said. “Our counselling, mindfulness, and relaxation programmes for kids have been needed now more than ever, as the pandemic has been adversely affecting everyone.

Perhaps, too, children were suffering more from the psychological trauma of such unprecedented times.
“Letters of appreciation from principals and parents are testament to the value of these mental health resources.”

RELAX KIDS CLASSES
Described as ‘fun and creative’, the Relax Kids classes help children become more resilient, while improving their skills to understand and manage their emotions better.

Featuring seven steps – which includes movement; play; stretching; massage; breathing; positive affirmations; and visualisation – the classes take children from high energy to relaxation, and aims to improve their imagination, creativity, confidence and sleep.

“Feedback from all classes and schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with pupils, parents and staff noticing the benefits inside and outside the classroom,” Siobhan reflected.

“Sharing these wellness tools and skills with the children has had a profound impact on their ability to deal with and regulate their own emotions, which is particularly important during these times.”

Gemma McHale Foundation has also funded a few other worthy charitable organisations, including Cystic Fibrosis; Air Ambulance NI; and Marie Curie.

The charity has further donated Covid-19 resources to NHS staff, contributed to meal provision for the vulnerable in the local area, and supported individual families experiencing significant illness, death and trauma.

“The McHale Family greatly appreciate all those who took part in our virtual walks and cycles, donated online, those who called with sponsorship, and everyone who supports them in keeping Gemma’s Foundation active,” Siobhan stated.

“The Foundation Trustees are confident that 2022 will see all fund-raising events up-and-running again, ensuring the continuation of much-needed resources for our children and community.

“A sincere thank you.”