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.

When a group of friends get together for a good cause there is no stopping them. Andrea Splendori and his 15 friends have been running together for years all around Europe. This year they decided to take on a challenge closer to home by running across Ireland from Greystones to Galway over three days to raise vital funds for our little patients in CHI at Crumlin. With 240km to cover, the group of friends will be relying on each other to complete this monumental challenge.

When 19 year old Josh Harris was a young patient in CHI at Crumlin he made a promise to his Mum that when he was well he would do something to give back to the hospital where he and his sister spent so much time. Fast forward a few years, and Josh is living up to that promise by virtually cycling 1,440km over 18 days – the length of the Irish coastline, to raise vital funds for other sick children. But that’s not the end of the story. Josh has recently recovered from COVID19, and is happy to be counted as one of those who’ve made a full recovery.

Childhood illness can strike without warning. Sometimes a seemingly harmless complaint can be the precursor to a serious illness. For parents Roseanna and Ollie Ruane, their lives have been a whirlwind the last few months after their young daughter Saoirse was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The Galway family now call CHI at Crumlin their second home as Saoirse receives a rigorous regimen of chemotherapy.

We all know that the natural instinct when you give birth to a baby is to hold and cuddle them to welcome them to the world. For sick children and our little patients in CHI at Crumlin, sometimes it is not possible due to a life-threatening health condition or vital life-saving equipment connected to the baby. An innovative care approach called Kangaroo Care – or skin to skin contact – was developed in Bogota, Columbia in the late 1970s, which has been proven to have positive health effects for sick babies.

In recent months, we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of support and thanks for our frontline heroes who go above and beyond for our little patients. They have been steadfast in ensuring that the level of care received in our hospitals remains world class despite the challenges of the pandemic. Staff Nurse Mary Walsh is on the frontline taking care of some of our youngest little patients. She is a seasoned triathlete outside of the hospital and this July she is taking on our ‘Tour De County’ cycling challenge to raise vital funds for our little patients.