Avolon continued its support to An Cosán this year by sponsoring a table at its annual International Women’s Day luncheon which took place on 4th March at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Avolon continued its support to An Cosán this year by sponsoring a table at its annual International Women’s Day luncheon which took place on 4th March at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Over 350 people attended this year’s lunch, making it An Cosan’s biggest fundraising event of the year. This year holds special significance as it celebrates 30 years of An Cosán. The lunch was hosted by Miriam O’Callaghan with guests of honour An Cosán co-founders, Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone who spoke passionately of the invaluable work the organisation has been involved with over the past 30 years providing community based education to those in disadvantaged areas across Dublin. Special guest speaker, Ellen O’Malley Dunlop, recent CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, was also in attendance and spoke at the event. Since 1986, An Cosán has provided “second chance” community based education to the residents of Tallaght West. They offer a variety of programmes for all age groups including early years education and care, parenting programmes and community and higher education. An Cosán provides community adult education, early years education, and care and social enterprises to an area of Dublin that is severely disadvantaged as a result of poverty and high levels of unemployment. Over 15,000 adults, primarily women, have progressed through the national framework of qualifications from basic literacy and personal development, to BA degrees in Community Development and Leadership. In addition, 2,000 children have received early years education and care at their centres since 1986. Avolon staff were delighted to be in attendance and proud to be able to support the efforts of An Cosán and their goal of eradicating poverty through education. For further information visit www.ancosan.ie[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type="image_grid" images="6014,6015,6013" img_size="130x87" el_class="jvGallery"][/vc_column][/vc_row]