A charity auction supported by local farmers and sponsored by agricultural businesses will see what have been described as "quality" calves for sale at Tullamore Mart, Co. Offaly.

Dairy farmers in the locality have donated nearly 40 calves so far, with all proceeds to go towards Offaly School of Special Education.

The school caters for 42 children across the county and its borders with a diagnosis of severe of profound intellectual disability or autism, combined with an intellectual disability.

At present the school is in a temporary building which lacks many of the basic resources and facilities that purpose-built special schools have. The only current option to provide the pupils with much-needed recreational activities is to travel outside of the school grounds.

Dairy farmer Nicholas Kearney and his wife, who works in the school, Katie Kearney came up with the idea for the charity auction, and have been advertising via word of mouth, social media, and through the support of agricultural businesses.

Nicholas said that the quality of calves showcases how "generous" farmers have been, with some Charolais and Belgian Blue calves to enter the ring next Monday (March 3) for the mart sale at 5:30p.m.

Photos of some of the calves being showcased can be seen below (Images sourced by: Nicholas Kearney).

There will also be prize funds in vouchers on the night of the auction for the highest paid calves from J Grennan & Sons Rath.

The Kearney's are encouraging anyone interested in donating to come along to the sale, and offers for donations are still been taken.

Farmers in the locality have offered to collect calves if those donating are too busy to attend themselves, but would still like to contribute.

The donations will be put towards specialised equipment such as hoists for use to take students out on recreational trips.

The funding will also be used for services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology and these are all seriously underfunded at present.

Donations can also be made all year round online through the Offaly School of Special Education i-donate website.