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• I’ve been horse riding since I was about 8 years old and I love it. It has taught me so much
  about managing horses such as grooming horses, tacking up horses and why we ride
  horses in the first place. On the topic of riding horses it has taught me a lot about that too,
  such as position, balance and incorrect hand placements. Since moving up foundations I
  have learned more and more such as jumping and cantering. As well as that I was a leader
  for a few months where I learned about horse anatomy, horse feed and their diet as well as
  teaching and helping beginners. Being around horses makes me feel calm, happy and safe.
  I really hope I can continue horse riding for as long as possible and progress even more and
  thanks to the help of follow your dream, that hope is an achievable reality for me –
  Karl Stynes

• Horse riding is fun because you can ride, groom, muck out and stable
  management.There are lots of things to do and the fun thing is you get to try new
  things,
  I Love It !
  Alice Stynes

• Through the support of follow your dream my children have been able to continue and
  progress with their ambition of horse riding. It has taught them patience and self control.
  Without the support of follow your dream I would not have been able to give them this
  opportunity. I am very grateful for the work and time from all involved to make this happen -
  Noeleen Stynes

• Dear Follow Your Dream,
  Thank you so much for your continued support over the last few years for my daughter Kate Gayson
  Football.
  You have truly been an integral part of Kate following her dream with football and as a family we
  can’t thank you enough.
  Kate’s football has gone from strength to strength with her team winning quadrable this year.
  All Ireland
  The League U14
  Molly O’Toole Cup
  Regional Cup.
  Kate is now in 3rd year, she recently went for trails for Leinster, and she has made the team and is
  on the National Academy for Ireland U15 and National Goalkeeper Academy as well.
  During the summer her team Peamount attended the Youth World Cup in Sweden and they came
  close. They made it to the quarter finals. It was an amazing experience for both the children and
  families. There was 1878 teams 69 Nations and 4771 games played.
  This year Kate and her team are travelling to Italy to play Juventus . The excitement with the girls
  and their families is amazing.
  It really shows with great support and determination you can really follow you dreams.
  Thank you so much,
  Love the Gayson Family
  Since that update Kate and her team Leinster won the FAI school province tournament beating
  Munster who where champions for last few years.

• My name is Jason Morris and I’ve been a member of follow your dream since 2017. I
  was really lucky as it was an unusual year where a select few from St Joseph’s
  school were invited to join and I was one of them!
  I always had an interest in drama but hadn’t really thought of joining till follow your
  dream gave me the push or should I say opportunity. I’ve really never looked back,
  I’ve been with talented kids (MVW agency) since the beginning 5th class through to
  5th year and I still love my drama group.
  I’ve done pantos, Christmas musicals shows, online adverts for Irish rail and GAA
  and soon you may even see me on a TV ad.
  The opportunities this has brought me  are endless. It’s been fun, social, keeps me
  out of trouble and I really have made some great friends along the way. Sometimes,
  I  even make some money which is just an added bonus. Who knows what will
  come next.

• My name is Emily and I am 16. I joined talented kids when i was 10 years old in 5th
  class. 
  I love it and can't wait for my classes every Friday. Maureen is an amazing teacher in
  both drama and singing and has helped me so much in gaining confidence. I love it
  so much I even help out on a Saturday morning as part of my Gaisce community
  work. I am very grateful to follow your dream for helping me find and attend
  something that I enjoy so much
  Emily

• I am Mandie, I have 2 children in follow your dream. My daughter does drama and
  my son plays football They both love what they are doing. We are lucky to have
  follow your dream because without the financial help a lot of parents like myself
  would struggle to pay for these activities and also the  nights like the table quiz and
  beetle drives are always great fun so a big thank you to Sister Gemma and all the
  team 
  Regards
  Mandie

• My Journey With Follow Your Dream
   
  My name is Carlie Larkin, my experience with follow dream has
  been life changing. I started follow your dream when I was in 5 th
  class and this year I’m going into 5 th  year and still participating.
   
  The name follow your dream is so special to me, as with the
  help of follow your dream, it made it possible for me to do two
  sports that I’ve always dreamed of doing since I was younger.
  With this I met so many new people and made so many life
  long friends, I’ve got to become part of such an amazing
  community. For me follow your dream was more than a club, it
  was a eye opening to so many new opportunities I got to do.
   
  What I’ve achieved because of follow your dream .
  Using follow your dream, I’ve got to play for my local club
  Round Towers. Since that I’ve achieved so many things, I
  made it to the semi finals in the feile for both Gaelic football and
  the finals for camogie last year. This year I also got to
  participate in the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Program –
  this helped me so much with my confidence and with meeting
  friends. This was a program that took place every Friday for a
  year and at the end was a 24hour individual project and now
  that I’ve completed it I go next October to receive  my NUIG
  grade 6 award.
   
  I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have, if I didn’t
  have follow your dream. So thank you to this amazing club and
  members for everything yous do, between running it,to having
  quiz nights and the yearly panto at Christmas and for being so
  kind and friendly. Special thanks to Sister Gemma as she’s
  helped me so much and I couldn’t have done it without her.
   
  Yours Sincerly ,
  Carlie Larkin

• I have been boxing since I was a small child. I always loved boxing and I started in a
  boxing club at 10. Boxing has taken me all over the world from Canada to Palestine,
  Holland all over England and Ireland . I won Dublin championships. This has been
  possible not only from my coaches and club but from the financial support from
  follow your dream. Boxing has kept me off the streets and out of trouble. It has
  helped me to keep fit and now at nearly 20 I can see how it helped me mentally as
  well. I want to thank follow your dream for still supporting me as I train for future
  championships and trips. My hope is to one day to box for Ireland in the Olympics
  and to win national titles. 
  Shane O’Neill

• Sean M 15 yrs old

I started in FYD in 2011. I picked football as my dream and Sister Gemma helped me with the financial part of it. I play with Cherry Orchard FC, I have had many opportunities in the Club. Over the years I have played in many tournaments, I played in the MIC tournament in Barcelona and we reached the semi-finals. I have played in England many times against clubs such as Man City, Fulham, Derby City, Chesterfield and Brentford. I was also selected to play for DDSL - Dublin District Schoolboys. We played in the Kennedy Cup in 2015 and reached the finals. In July 2016 we played in Northern Ireland Super Cup, formally Milk Cup, and also in the Galway Cup against teams such as Ipswich, Leads, Ireland International team and we won! I am now progressing on to League of Ireland Football. Without the help of FYD I would not have been able to do all this as it is very expensive. My ultimate dream is to one day have a career in Football. I would like to thank everyone for their continuous support.

• Molly

My name is Molly and I’m taking riding lessons in Callingstown Equestrian Centre. I started my lessons last year with the help of Follow your Dream Project. I love it and my pony's name is Culskey.

• Sean 13 yrs old

I started with Talented Kids through FYD 2 years ago. I can honestly say it's the best thing that ever came into my life, I've had great sucess so far and I know there is more sucess to come. I've worked as an extra on 4 big movies. The experience alone is thrilling and I cant wait to be a professional actor.  I've had major sucess as a sports model with a big sports company (got loads of clothes!). All well paid jobs, the work just keeps coming in, I consider myself very lucky. FYD has totally changed my life for the better and I would like to say thank you all so much as none of this would be possible without FYD.

• Geraldine (Parent)

'My daughter got involved in FYD when she was in 5th class. Her choice of activity was basketball. Seven years later, she is still involved, having gone from strenght to strenght.She also got the opportunity to be an assistant coach and coach for the little ones. She made new and lasting friendships. Her self discipline, concentration and fitness all improved, as did her team player attitude. All this attributes will be of value to her in the years ahead. Activities for the young generations are vitally important for their future health and well-being. I would like to say a special thank you to FYD, keep up the good work!.'

• Alex 9 yrs old

'Because of FYD I am becoming a very good swimmer. I look forward to the nights out and especially the panto. Thank you FYD'

• Kayleigh 14 yrs old

'If it wasn't for FYD I wouldnt have had the experiences of performing in the Gaiety Theatre and other large theatres also. I am very grateful and I appreciate all that you have done.'

• Naoishe 11 yrs old

'I do cooking in Deansrath Community college. FYD is a great opportunity to have fun, to learn new things and make new friends. Sr Gemma gave all the children an opportunity to follow their dreams. Every child and parent, enjoy FYD, Follow your dreams!'

• Alan & Kathleen (Parents)

'FYD is a god send as is Sr Gemma. Her aim is to give every child a chance at following their dream. For many without this group would have no chance at all. The amount of children who are in activities and off the streets doing something they love. I think Willie Wonka spoke about Sr Gemma when he said ' we are the makers of dreams, we are the dream makers'.'

• Chelsey 14 yrs old

'The people involved are great to have and make the experience even better. I would encourage all young people to join if the can as they too will be able to follow their dream.'

• Ellie 9 yrs old

'I have been in stage school for 3 years now and I love it. Without FYD I would not be able to go every week.'

• Dean 10 yrs old

'I've been kickboxing for 3 years now and I'm coming up to the Nationals which could take me to Italy. I am almost a brown belt now and to think I nearly gave up my sport and FYD helped me'.

• Catherine & John (Parents)

'Without FYD, we would not have been able to give our children the opportunities they have enjoyed and that has moulded their characters into the wonderful young adults they have become. A very big thank you to Sister Gemma and the FYD team.'

• Gillian 20 yrs old

'As part of FYD, I joined Stagezone stage school and spent five years there. This inspired me to study drama at university, none of which would have happened without FYD.'

• Edel 15 yrs old

'I have gained a lot of confidence, met loads of friend and have gotten amazing memories from all of the stage shows I've taken part in. All would not have been possible without FYD.'

• Liam 16 yrs old

I joined FYD when I was 12 years old and it gave me a great opportunity to meet new friends and to try new things. Through FYD I have joined a basketball team, learned Karate and joined a drama school where I have performed in many shows. FYD gives Students a chance to gain life experience and skills.

• Ruth (Parent)

'As a parent, FYD has helped me keep my kids in activities and to know I have the financial support of FYD is huge for me and my kids. I don't have to worry about not been able to help my kids follow their dreams. I am very grateful for FYD.'

• Alan & Denyse (Parents)

'FYD has given our daughters the opportunity to study music for the past 5 years. This support has allowed them to play in such venues as the Helix, National Concert Hall and the Mansion House. Without FYD this would not be possible.'

• Abby 13 yrs old

'FYD is great because it pays half of what you want to do, it was a big help for my mam because I have 2 sisters so it took some of the pressure off her. I really enjoy dancing. It really helps that the FYD project is there to help people.'

• Veronica (Parent)

'I have never seen my daughter so excited and happy about anything. She looks forward to her lesson so much. I think the FYD project is woderful and only for it, a lot of children would not get to do the things they really love to do.'

• Chloe 11 yrs old

'I asked my mam could I do horseriding lessons and she said they were too expensive. I was disappointed but when I went into 5th class I joined FYD and now I have started lessons and I love it. One day I would like to do show jumping and thanks to FYD now I will have a chance.'

• Jacqueline & Russell (Parents)

'Both of our daughters take dancing lessons in Scoil Rince Nic Liam in Bawnogue. Every month there is a Feis, most of which are held outside Dublin and we have to travel which sometimes costs 30 or 40 euros. FYD has been a big help towards the cost of dancing and we are very grateful.'