I’m Colm. I live in Madrid, Spain with my wife and our 2 dogs. I have been a lifelong Reach member. I grew up with this charity supporting me, helping me overcome issues and building my confidence. As a teen and then an adult, I started volunteering on an ad hoc basis, I volunteered with my parents for events organised in the Irish branch and would step up to help out every year during AFW (I’m the guy you see juggling at the merch table! For some older Reach members, I was the kid that ran around with the microphone!)
I disappeared from in-person events for a few years, during which time I lived abroad and co-ran 2 not for profit dance organisations with my (now) wife – both in Ireland and in Hungary. During that time, I still tried to help over social media giving advice to young parents and kids on how to do things one-handed -often making videos to demonstrate one-handed buttoning or tying a tie. From those little moments helping people, I had the privilege this year, of volunteering and co-organising Reach’s “HOW-DO-YOU-DO-IT” campaign in April and now I’m working with fellow trustees and other members on a bid with “Reaching Communities” so we can better serve our Reach adults.
Reach is growing and evolving as a charity and it is wonderful to see. It’s been amazing seeing how much we can do, and the impact it has on everyone from new parents, up to people who discovered us in adulthood. I’ve always been passionate about doing more to help kids and adults become more comfortable in their own skin and realise nothing can stop them from achieving. Being on the trustee board is an honour and I look forward to getting involved as best I can.