At the height of the boom I can remember being at the RIAI conference dinner in Venice, and as the collection buckets were passed around on behalf of the Irish Architects Benevolent Society, it never occurred to me that I myself would someday be in need of assistance from them..

If you have ever experienced a life changing event, you will fully appreciate the meaning of the phrase. When my life, and that of my dependents, was forever altered by a life changing event, the help the IABS subsequently provided was been lifesaving, and has continued to help me navigate my way through. The help they gave me has not just been financial support but also moral support.

The Irish Architects Benevolent Society describes itself as providing assistance to everyone in the architectural community. And that’s how it felt to me – they extended friendship, support and genuine concern for me and my family.

The financial support has made it possible for me to pay for childcare so that I can continue to work as an architect, and it is my hope to one day repay this assistance, and to support someone else in need.

The moral support has made it possible for me to keep my head above water during some extremely difficult times.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the IABS, and all of you who support it by contributing funds, and to the IABS directors who so generously and faithfully run the IABS.

Thank you.