Leitrim Charity aims to reach €1 million in funding this Christmas

Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation sets an ambitious target to raise €1 million this Christmas in funding up to 55,000 hours of in-home nursing care for families across the country. 

The Charity currently cares for two children across Leitrim and urges the community to support its Home for Christmas appeal by purchasing from its Christmas Gift Collection or through once-off or monthly donations. 

The Home for Christmas Appeal will directly fund 55,000 hours of in-home nursing care to support children with highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions, allowing them to stay at home, in their community, where they belong. 

There’s lots to choose from in the Jack and Jill Christmas Collection, including stunning ‘Find a Diamond’ candle and diffuser sets from Paul and William Costelloe, limited edition Tote bags designed by artist Miriam Smithers, Teachers Gift Cards, ‘Gift of Time Cards’ and exclusively designed Christmas cards from Kildare artist Laura Dempsey aka Pickled Pom Pom. 

Launching the Charity’s Home for Christmas appeal, CEO Carmel Doyle said, “With more children under our care than ever before and an 8% year-on-year increase in our core service, public support is vital in helping us raise our €1 million target in this Christmas Appeal.  

“So far this year, we have supported 559 children, with demand higher than ever for our service. Therefore, we need all the help we can get as we ask people across Co. Leitrim to donate locally, support local and shop locally through our wonderful Christmas Gift Collection. 

“Every Christmas purchase and donation is a gift of time by funding and supporting home nursing care hours that make a real difference to local families. 

“With only 25% of our €6.8M annual budget coming from the government, we rely on the kindness of the public, communities and businesses to support us.”

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation currently provides vital in-home nursing care and respite support to over 400 families across Ireland, caring for children up to the age of six with neurodevelopmental delay associated with a severe cognitive delay. 

This may include children with brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy, and undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of six, irrespective of diagnosis.   

There are families in communities across the country being cared for right now by the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, including two families in Leitrim. A total of 20  families have been supported by Jack and Jill in Leitrim since the Charity’s foundation in 1997.

Shop the collection now at www.jackandjill.ie.