Cancer Fund for Children in Ireland
Cancer Fund for Children has announced exciting plans to build a new therapeutic short break centre for Irish families in Co. Mayo.
For over 40 years we have been delivering a wide range of support services to children and young people affected by cancer and their families in Northern Ireland, and for the last twenty years, we have also been providing short breaks to families caring for a child with cancer from across all of Ireland.
Gap in Support
In 2015 Cancer Fund for Children undertook research into the services provided to families throughout Ireland who are coping with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis. Our research revealed that aside from essential medical care and help from a small number of charities, overall support was scarce and fragmented.
As a result of these findings, and the fact that demand for therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge, has exceeded available capacity (there are currently 50 families waiting to use the service at any given time) we have announced our plans to open a second facility in Co. Mayo Connacht.
Why Connacht?
We have chosen Connacht because our research and feedback has highlighted an increased level of isolation experienced by families living there. In addition, parents and children living in Connacht have the furthest distances to travel to their Dublin treatment hospitals and have very limited access to any community-based specialist support services.
Find out more about the project by watching this short video.
The Rory Foundation
Our plans are being backed by the Rory Foundation, the charitable foundation of four time Major Winner Rory McIlroy, who have pledged €1.2m as part of major donor strategy that will help turn our long term vision into a reality.
How are our plans progressing?
Cancer Fund for Children Ireland is now an officially registered charity in Ireland – Registered Charity Number 20142681 and is also recognised by the Irish Revenue Commissioners with CHY number 21682. This means we can begin to raise funds in Ireland to make this project a reality.
The charity in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are separate legal entities, with a different Board and separate fundraising remit. The organisations will share the same Senior Management Team and two joint Board Members so that the learned values and knowledge from our experience in NI can be shared with the new charity.
A potential site has been identified in an area of outstanding natural beauty near Cong, Co Mayo. In order to provide a therapeutic environment for families location is very important. Site testing and public consultation have already been carried out and a planning application submitted. Subject to planning approval the new purpose-built complex will be modelled upon, and share the same name, as its Daisy Lodge counterpart in Newcastle, Co. Down.
Voices of Support
“Having seen Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, County Down being developed from its foundations to what it is today is amazing. I’ve been back a couple of times since it opened and the facilities are exceptional. I have no doubt it will be the same in County Mayo. I am honoured to be able to support a second project.”
Rory McIlroy, Rory Foundation
Donate Today
You can make a difference today. We need your support to help us build our new therapeutic short break centre in County Mayo. Please donate whatever you can, to help us make this building a reality for families affected by cancer. Click on the button below to make your donation.
