Funding sensory room was more than a marathon challenge!
A MOTHER of two who ran over 1,000km to fundraise for a Sensory Room at her son’s school is delighted to have it inaugurated.
Charlene Keane (36) is a mother to six-year-old Dara and three-year-old Ollie. Dara is autistic and attends the ASD class in Brierfield National School.
In April 2025, Charlene took on a challenge to fundraise for a dedicated space in the school where pupils like Dara and others can avail of some quiet time and relax in between the classes.
That dream came true last Thursday, when Charlene along with her husband Michael Keane and son Ollie officially opened The Oak Tree Room, a facility that will benefit not just her own son but hundreds of children who are either currently in the school or will join in the coming years.
Charlene ran seven half marathons, each representing the children in the ASD class in Brierfield, and one full marathon for the whole community.
“I ran over a 1,000km between training and the actual marathons and every time I did not want to go to training due to bad weather or anything I thought about what the children needed and what the room can provide to them,” said Charlene.
“It was a difficult thing to do but it was no more difficult than the challenges that our children with additional needs face every day of the week. And that’s what really got me through on the long training runs,” she continued.
Despite not liking running, Charlene managed to complete her goal and raise €24,000 for the construction of a modular sensory unit in the school grounds.
This unit consists of two rooms - a sensory room fitted with equipment like bubble tubes, an infinity tunnel, interactive lights, a multimedia projector playing sensory movies, and an Occupational Therapy (OT) room fitted with a padded floor, steps and slide, a climbing wall, rock wall and a swing.
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PARENTS Louise Hannon, Elaine O’Mahoney, Teresa Donoghue and Imelda Donoghue at the official opening of The Oak Tree Room at Brierfield National School. All photos: Jacinta Fahy Jacinta FahyImage 2 of 8
CHRIS Keane and Anne McGough, proud grandmothers of Dara Keane, Charlene’s son, who inspired her vision to fundraise for a sensory space for the school. Jacinta FahyImage 3 of 8
LACEY Grace, Martina and Margaret Mills, Brierfield at the official opening of The Oak Tree Room at Brierfield NS. Jacinta FahyImage 4 of 8
THE sensory room committee Imelda Donoghue, Sarah Lally, Assumpta Hansberry and Olivia Donnellan made a presentation to Mike and Charlene Keane, along with their son Ollie. Jacinta FahyImage 5 of 8
KATE O’Mahony enjoying the new sensory space. Jacinta FahyImage 6 of 8
HAVING a ball, Dara Keane at the opening of The Oak Tree Room. Jacinta FahyImage 7 of 8
PARENTS Emer Curley, Lorraine O’Regan and Ann Marie Monaghan at the official opening. Jacinta FahyImage 8 of 8
AIDAN, Patrick and Alisha Mannion, Barnaderg at the official opening of The Oak Tree Room at Brierfield National School. Jacinta FahyCharlene describes the whole process as two projects, one being the fundraising where she did all the hard work and got a “phenomenal response” from everyone.
“I was hoping to raise between ten or 15 thousand, but we ended up raising €24,000 and that allowed us to build The Oak Tree Room,” she said.
The second part of the project was the physical building of the room where she got great support from the community, local tradespeople and businesses.
Charlene’s efforts have been appreciated by the community and management at Brierfield National School.
Mother to another child in the school’s ASD class, Caroline Trowell said that the school is lucky to have such facility up and running.
“Everyone is going to benefit from it as they are already using it to have a break and enjoying it,” she added.