Boyzone star, Keith Duffy today announced that he is stepping down as patron of Irish Autism Action to concentrate on his family and career.
Keith has been actively fundraising and building awareness of children with autism for over ten years. During that time he helped Irish Autism Action raise over €8 million. The charity said that contributed significantly to the creation and development of services for children with autism and their families.
Keith’s role as Patron of Irish Autism Action helped with corporate partnership down through the years and his personal fundraising initiatives such as KD golf day and KD Masquerade Ball have generated hundreds of thousands of euro for Irish Autism Action. Keith’s endorsement of IAA’s phones for iPads campaign has secured 3,000 iPads for children with autism involving recycling of nearly half a million phones.
His public support for 12 early intervention schools in Ireland helped secure state recognition for the schools. Finally, Keith has launched a partnership between
Early Childhood Ireland and IAA which over a 3 year period will help create autism friendly pre-school settings.
CEO of Irish Autism Action Kevin Whelan thanked Keith Duffy "without his stellar campaigning for IAA, we would not be in the place we are today"
"Our belief is that awareness drives understanding which in turn drives action. Keith has been key in creating the awareness through his extensive, very personal interviews relating to his family’s journey with autism"
Despite stepping down, Keith has promised he will see through a number of events that he has set up for Irish Autism Action for 2015, including National Pyjama Day on March 6 which is set to raise significant funds for Irish Autism Action over the next three years.