Mayo footballer Fiona McHale backs Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation fundraiser

MAYO footballer Fiona McHale has joined a  fundraising campaign calling on people to climb a hill or mountain at any time, at any place, for any distance in support of one of Ireland’s leading children’s charities.

The veteran intercounty footballer has lent her support to the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’s ‘Up The Hill’ campaign, which aims to raise badly needed funds for sick children.

The ninth annual fundraising event, in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, urges people to take to the hills throughout the summer in support of local Jack and Jill families.

Every €18 registration fee will help fund one hour of in-home nursing care and end-of-life support for nine Mayo children with highly complex, life-limiting medical conditions.

A total of 86 families have been supported by Jack and Jill in Mayo since the charity’s foundation in 1997.

Organisers are hoping to raise over €75,000 for Jack and Jill’s vital services – equivalent to 4,167 hours of in-home nursing care and respite support – which is a lifeline for over 400 families currently availing of the service across the country.

“Jack and Jill is a gift of time for so many families who face very tough challenges in their home life,” said Fiona McHale.

“These families have a massive amount of resilience, but they need, and deserve, a break to enable them to recharge and face the next challenge.

“As a proud member of the Gaelic Players Association, I’m inviting our wonderful community of players and supporters to go Up the Hill with Jack and Jill, and the GPA, this summer, as we support these inspiring families who just need a helping hand every once in a while, from their Jack and Jill nurse.”

Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, said going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill is a really valuable way to support the uphill challenge faced by Jack and Jill families in their daily lives.

She described the in-home nursing care provided by the foundation as ‘a lifeline to so many families who face an uphill challenge every day’.

“We are delighted to have the support of Fiona McHale in encouraging people to go the extra mile for this year’s Up the Hill for Jack and Jill campaign,” she said.

“As with the GAA, Jack and Jill is all about community. We know there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child, and we want to do everything that we can to support parents in caring for their child at home in their communities, where they belong.

“I hope people will come together for our extra-special Jack and Jill children to show them how much they care and to help make parents feel a little less isolated and alone in raising a child with highly complex medical needs.”

Partnering with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’s Up the Hill 2023 campaign is Abbott.

For Conor Murphy, a Site Director with Abbott, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping local communities.

“Abbott are proud to be partnering with Jack and Jill and supporting their Up the Hill campaign,” said Mr Murphy.

“We have been inspired by Jack and Jill’s commitment to providing compassionate care to children and their families right across Ireland. We are excited to contribute to their vital work once again this year.”

For more information or to register for Up the Hill for Jack and Jill 2023, visit www.jackandjill.ie, email info@jackandjill.ie or call 045 894538.