RTÉ presenter and patron of Cliona’s Foundation, Miriam O’Callaghan, enthusiastically helped launch a new fundraising initiative this week by Cliona’s Foundation, a national charity for families. Give a Gift for Cliona’s is an exclusive way for people to get their hands on many unique ‘money can’t buy’ experiences and other gifts for all at Christmas, while at the same time supporting Cliona’s as part of the Christmas campaign to help raise funds to support families with seriously sick children.

Cliona’s Foundation is a national charity that provides financial assistance to families of children with a life limiting condition to help with the non-medical expenses of caring for their child while in hospital or at home.

“The financial support we provide enables parents to be by their child’s bedside,” said CEO and co-founder of Cliona’s, Brendan Ring. “The hidden costs, which include accommodation, travel, food, car parking and much more can amount to approximately €10,000 per annum, and places a family under significant financial pressure when they are already trying to deal with their child’s diagnosis. My wife Terry and I travelled that journey for eight years with our daughter Cliona before she died in 2006. Weknow exactly the financial toll it takes and meet many families struggling with all these expenses.”

Cliona’s financial donation helps alleviate this pressure for some of the families of the 4,000 children in Ireland with a life-limiting conditions. They have supported over 950 families over the past 14 years but Covid and reduced family incomes has seen an increase in the number of families seeking their help.

“It has been a challenging 20 months for everyone, but we are really excited about this unique fundraising initiative and the funds we are hoping it will generate,” continued Brendan.

Packages

Give a Gift for Cliona’s has a range of very special items which you must feast your eyes on – a private suite for 20 people with finger food on Thursday, December 29th at Limerick’s racing festival, a tour of Henry de Bromhead’s yard for four people with Davy Russell, a Punchestown Festival 2022 corporate box for 20 people, a break away in Trabolgan, an ice cream party for 10 in Murphy’s Ice Cream, a child’s electric car and a Kilmartin Education study package or the very special framed Cranberries Bury the Hatchet album poster signed by Dolores O’ Riordan. “You can even bid to play golf with hurling greats Joe Canning and Shane Dowling in Tralee Golf course” said Brendan.

You won’t regret getting involved so visit www.clionas.ie or call 087 188 7700.