Elite champion boxer Dean Walsh becomes ambassador for Wexford’s Able-Disabled Caller campaign

Those with disabilities only have to identify themselves as an A-D Caller on the phone, and then registered businesses will prioritise the call as one requiring additional time. To date, over a thousand businesses nationwide have signed up for an initiative which was founded in Wexford by Caroline Flanagan.

In addition, a partnership with I&F Education could see the programme expanded across Europe into Spain, Italy, and other nations.

However, despite becoming known throughout the business community, the aim for Caroline and her team is for it to become a household name. Helping the A-D Callers to achieve that dream, Dean has come on board as ambassador in the hope of spreading the word throughout the sporting world.

Caroline Flanagan is the founder of A-D Caller and says that the five-time national champion needed no convincing to join the cause.

“My cousin Dominic is Dean’s cornerman and I got to know him about a year ago, we chatted regularly and he kept saying he wanted to be involved with the A-D callers, to be involved in something that changes and improves lives,” Caroline explains. “I put it to the team, asked them if they wanted Dean to come on board, and without hesitation they all said yes.

"We want the AD-Caller campaign to be a household name, for everyone to know about it not just businesses, and with Dean involved it gives us the opportunity to include sporting organisations.”

To mark the announcement, Dean invited the A-D Caller team to his local gym for some sparring and quickly found himself backed up against the ropes.

"It was incredible,” Caroline says, “when he walked into the room he knew most of them by name, that was just from seeing them around town and saying hello. They sparred with him and just had a laugh, Dean said it was one of the most enjoyable days of his life, up there with all the times he’s won medals.

"He’s a Wexford icon as it is and he’s going to be a great ambassador, but first and foremost he’s a friend to everyone on the team.”

A-D Caller is not affiliated with Wexford Able-Disabled Club.