Each year over 150,000 sick children come through the doors of CHI at Crumlin hospital. Some will stay for hours while others will stay for days, weeks or even months sometimes calling the hospital their home from home. For Gemma Hutton, the hospital became her home when her son Barra was born with a life threatening Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) last year. Barra was only three days old when he had open heart surgery. To celebrate Barra’s first birthday, his Super Nanny Rose Daly is going to walk 100 miles to raise vital funds for Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin.

More than 500 children from the island of Ireland receive care and treatment for heart conditions in CHI at Crumlin each year. Twenty eight years ago, Jennifer Caffrey from Tullamore in County Offaly had open heart surgery when she was just two weeks old in Crumlin. A newly qualified primary school teacher, Jennifer has achieved her life’s dream of entering the classroom. She and her mother Phil recently completed the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon to raise vital funds for our patients.

Over the years, families all around Ireland have entrusted staff in CHI at Crumlin with their sick children. We are very thankful when we meet a former patient who has grown up after beating the odds. Aidan O’Sullivan, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition when he was born and underwent life-saving surgery a few days later.

We are delighted to announce that Children's Health Foundation Crumlin and Children's Health Foundation Temple Street, alongside Pieta House have been chosen as the charities of choice for #ChristmasJerseys this year, a donation of €1 from each sale will go towards each charity.

We all know the power that big sisters have to protect their younger siblings. They’re simply a force to be reckoned with. When 10 year old Mya Hui saw her four year old brother Oscar get sick from kidney disease she decided to donate her long beautiful hair to sick children, and to raise vital funds while doing so for Children's Health Foundation Crumlin.

For CMRF Crumlin, one of its vital sources of support throughout the years has been college students. With their enthusiasm and tenacity, they have consistently done whatever it takes for our little patients in CHI at Crumlin. Student Aoife Bergin, Auditor of the UCD Agricultural Science Society, has done an amazing job during the last year to raise vital funds. She also used her ingenuity during the COVID19 lockdown to rally her members and supporters around a virtual fundraiser.

For nearly 20 years, CMRF Crumlin supporter Liam Heffernan has been walking for our little patients in CHI at Crumlin. Never one to say no to a challenge, Liam has once again put his passion for the hospital to good use by organising a three-day walking tour in the West of Ireland – covering the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the Wild Atlantic Way – all to raise vital funds for sick children in Crumlin. ‘Siúl sa bhaile’ is a multi-tiered walking tour; catering for walkers of various levels.

We all hear how resilient and strong babies are but it’s only when we see their bravery in action do we truly understand how courageous these little ones can be. Colm Hoary has triumphed in some pretty amazing battles since the day he was born. He had his first heart operation when he was just two weeks old, and spent his first six months of life in hospital. Colm’s Mum Juliet and her family are inspired by Colm’s bravery, and took on the incredible task of walking 100km to raise vital funds for CHI at Crumlin to help other sick children.

We are absolutely delighted to be part of this year’s Equinox charity cycle event ‘Around the World in One Day’. Each year, the Equinox Cycle has been a rewarding challenge for all participants. In 2020, Covid19 has presented a unique set of tests for everyone. But it has also offered new opportunities. While a physical coast to coast Equinox cycle is not possible this year, their tenth event will go ahead in a different way - with an even bigger challenge!

Darragh was just six days old when he had his first open heart surgery to fix a Congenital Heart Defect in CHI at Crumlin. Then when he was 4 months old he was showing signs that he needed further surgery.  This was a touch and go time for his parents Rose-Marie and Colm who anxiously saw their little boy wheeled in for another serious and long surgery. Darragh has defied the odds and came through another surgery to replace the pulmonary valve in 2018. Now three years old, Darragh is thriving and looking forward to starting playschool.

Our fundraising representatives will be recruiting monthly donors in Dublin and Cork from 10th August. You may see them out and about between 11am and 6pm, or in residential areas between the hours of 12 noon and 8:30pm.