Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced as ambassador for Daisy Lodge Appeal

FORMER Taoiseach Enda Kenny has taken on the voluntary role of International Ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children, which aims to build a short break centre in Cong for children with cancer and their families.

Mr Kenny's role will support the charity’s appeal to build and fund the therapeutic centre, which has attracted enormous public support. 

The announcement was made when Mr Kenny visited Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic facility in Co Down, which can currently only provide a short break to one in every seven families impacted by childhood cancer.

Speaking about his role as Cancer Fund for Children’s International Ambassador, the former Taoiseach said: "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."

Cancer Fund for Children CEO Phil Alexander said: "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."

Daisy Lodge will be built on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong. 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 Cancer Fund for Children provide at Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle, County Down and their community service which provides social and emotional support to families impacted by childhood cancer in their homes, communities and shared care centres. 

The site for Daisy Lodge was purchased by the charity with the support of professional golfer Rory McIlroy’s foundation.

_{Pictured (left to right): Peter O’Brien, Chair of the Board of Trustees with Cancer Fund for Children, Siobhan Hanley, Director of Income Generation and Communications at Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach, Raph O’Connor, Residential Services Manager at Cancer Fund for Children and Neil Symington, Director of Services at Cancer Fund for Children, at the charity’s current short break centre Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle Co Down.}

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 €5 million in capital funding from the Department of Health and €2.5 million in Shared Island funding.

Building on Daisy Lodge is due to commence in 2024.

You can find out more about how you can support the project at www.cancerfundforchildren.com or call 01 562 1580.