Tánaiste, Mary Harney, pledges support to Caroline Casey as she embarks on the realisation of her dream in a bid to help change public perceptions about disability

Dublin, Thursday 23rd November 2000 - Tánaiste, Mary Harney today gave her support to Caroline Casey who will embark on a 1,000 km trek across India on an elephant in a major awareness generation and fund raising initiative.

The Aisling Project Indian Challenge is a newly created charity formed in June of this year which aims to raise over £250,000 for The National Council for the Blind, Sight Savers International and the protection of the Asian Elephant. Caroline herself is visually impaired and legally blind. Through this challenge, she intends to change public perceptions about disability while creating stronger awareness of the issues, concerns and frustrations facing the disabled in society.

The Tánaiste, Mary Harney commented "Caroline is undertaking a hugely positive initiative which will help bring about real awareness and understanding of related issues and concerns that the alternatively-abled in society wish to overcome. Caroline’s immense bravery in undertaking this project will encourage people to look beyond a persons disability and focus on the individual and their personal abilities and achievements and the benefits that they can bring to the workplace."

Although the three-month trek is to begin in January 2001, fund-raising started back in August 2000. Patrons of the Aisling project include Christy Moore, Jack L, Mark Shand and Andrea Corr who initially launched the project in August 2000.

Before beginning her trek Caroline will spend time creating a bond with the elephant, learning how to bathe, ride and feed it. A good relationship between Caroline and her elephant is crucial to the success of the three-month trek. With the exception of an elephant keeper, elephant feeder and Indian guide, Caroline will complete the trip independently.

According to Caroline Casey, "Getting the Aisling project off the ground has been incredibly exciting and challenging and I’m thrilled with the help and enthusiastic support we have received. I am really looking forward to the next stage of the actual trek and reaching our target of £250,000. I do hope that this initiative which is very close to my heart will capture the public’s imagination; help to change their perceptions about disability; and support the employment of disabled people in the workforce."

The Aisling Project Manager is Doreen McInerney. She can be contacted by e-mail at dmci@iol.ie.The website is at www.theaislingproject.org

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