An Athenry father of a child with autism is drawing on his love of darts to run a tournament for Ireland’s autism charity, AsIAm, in Cawley’s Bar, Craughwell, on Sunday, September 29.

With an attractive offering of prize money, Johnny Bowles, who plays darts with Cawley’s in Galway’s Oyster League, hopes to attract players from across the county to his singles event, which has already received significant support from the business community, including title sponsor Carid Construction.

The motivation for running this tournament is to support the autism charity, AsIAm. “That’s the main reason I am doing it,” Johnny stresses.

“My seven-year-old son Aaron has autism, so, it is something close to my own heart.

“Aaron struggles to communicate. He is not non-verbal, but he is not as advanced verbally as another seven-year-old might be. Not until he was four or five did he start to get words and sentences together. So, he has found it very frustrating when he can’t communicate, especially if he has any issues.”

The September 29 fundraiser has an overall prize fund of €750, with the winner receiving €250 and runner-up €150. The round-robin competition is limited to 64 players. Entry fee is €15. Registration is between 2pm and 2:45pm, with the event getting underway at 3pm. There will also be a nine-dart challenge (highest score), along with a raffle.

“Across the whole county, the darts community is very good – and we all know each other,” says Johnny. “So, I would know all the lads in Galway City across to Tuam and right down to Ballinasloe side. It’s like a little family in a way. Hopefully, now, they can come out and support.”

A native of Cork, Johnny is married to Craughwell woman Dawn, whose father is well-known local businessman Jodie Connolly of Circle K/SPAR, where Johnny works. Indeed, Johnny explains it was at work that he decided to do something for AsIAm, as they had put forward the charity as a possible candidate for SPAR’s charity partner.

“It came down to five different charities – and AsIAm made the shortlist – but SPAR chose Breast Cancer Research, which is a very worthy cause as well. However, I always said that I wanted to do a bit of fundraising for them. So, this is the first opportunity that I have a bit of free time to do it.”

Athenry residents Johnny and Dawn, who are also set to climb Carrigtwohill to raise awareness for the charity on September 14, recognise the value of a good support network.

Johnny notes that Aaron is highly intelligent – “he knows more about the planets and the Solar System and the universe than I ever knew” – but the communication issues his child has presents challenges.

“It can be hard on Aaron,” continues Johnny, “because communication is a big thing. We tried loads of different therapies, like horse-riding and stuff. One thing my wife Dawn found which is very good is music therapy.

“So, there is a neighbour of ours, Simon Brody in Athenry, who now lives in Copenhagen, who does it with him online. Aaron has been doing that with New Wave Music Therapy for the last two years and it has stood to him.

“His communication skills have come on an awful lot since then. Thankfully, we have not had too many issues with Aaron – although he has his good days and bad days, like us all.”

This is why Johnny and Dawn, who also have four-year-old twins Amber and Alex, have chosen to support AsIAm, which the charity is delighted with.

“Since 2014, AsIAm has been a powerful movement for change for the autism community in Ireland,” says a spokesperson. “AsIAm is dedicated to transforming society, so it works for autistic people and their families.

“The charity is autistic-led and focused on representing, connecting, coordinating and unifying the autism community in Ireland.

“They empower and support autistic people to reach their full potential, while simultaneously challenging society to be fully accepting and accessible to every autistic person.”

For more information on AsIAm, go to www.asiam.ie

Pictured: Johnny Bowles: fundraising darts tournament for autism charity.