Former Taoiseach Announced as International Ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge Appeal
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny has taken on the voluntary role of International Ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children to support the charity’s appeal to build and fund a Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break centre in Cong Co. Mayo for children across the island of Ireland diagnosed with cancer and their families.
The announcement was made when Mr Kenny visited our therapeutic facility in Co. Down which can currently only provide 1 in every 7 families impacted by childhood cancer with a short break.
“We are delighted that Enda has taken on the role of International Ambassador for our appeal to build a second Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo.
A childhood cancer diagnosis and its treatment can have a devastating impact on the whole family. Life as they once knew it is shattered. Beyond the excellent clinical care families receive there is a huge need for social and emotional support.
Therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide a safe, restorative space where children with cancer, their siblings and parents can reconnect, spend quality time together, meet other families and benefit from the support of our dedicated therapeutic team.
At present there are 137 families waiting for their first short break so a second facility will be vital in helping us ensure that all families impacted by childhood cancer can access therapeutic support regardless of where they live across the island of Ireland.”
Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children
Daisy Lodge will be built on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong Co. Mayo. This will be a 30,000 square foot non-clinical short break centre for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. This service will complement the existing service we provide at Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle, County Down and our community service which provides social and emotional support to families impacted by childhood cancer in their homes, communities and shared care centres.
“I am very happy to assist this cause in any way that I can. Cancer Fund for Children are world leaders in what they do and their engagement with families having to cope with a childhood cancer diagnosis is extraordinary. That engagement provides a legacy of happy memories and provides a wonderful human response in what can be very trying circumstances. People understand this and I know they will respond in a way that will again demonstrate Ireland’s ability to lead the world in response to these situations. Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic centre Daisy Lodge will prove to be the role model to follow in all other countries.”
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny
The site for Daisy Lodge was purchased with the support of professional golfer Rory McIlroy’s foundation. Earlier this year former Ireland and Ulster Rugby Captain Rory Best completed his second Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo walking challenge, bringing his fundraising total for this project to €2 million. The Irish Government also announced an allocation of €7.5 million in funding towards the construction of Daisy Lodge in Mayo. This includes €5million in capital funding from the Department of Health and €2.5million in Shared Island funding.
Construction of Daisy Lodge is due to commence in 2024. Find out how you can support this project to help ensure no child has to face cancer alone email our Director of Income Generation and Communications, Siobhan Hanley e: siobhhan@cancerfundforchildren.com.