As we come to the end of the year, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas from all of us at LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. Your support this year has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful.
2024 has been an incredible year for LauraLynn. We launched our new Strategic Plan – Extending our Community of Care 2024-2028 – and expanded our services to reach more children and families than ever before. Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers has grown nationally, strengthening our community.
We continued to receive full statutory funding for our disability services –Willow View and Hazel House – and partial state funding for our children’s hospice, which relies predominantly on donations and fundraised income.
One of the highlights this year, was the introduction of the LauraLynn 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge in May, as part of Children’s Hospice Week. This new fundraising initiative saw an amazing turnout, with numerous supporters and sponsors keeping the momentum going even through the night. Next year the challenge will be bigger, better and bilocated, at our campus in Dublin 18 and in Cork City.
Our campus saw many improvements in 2024. We completed upgrades to our playground and gardens, adding more fun and colour to our site. Renovations to the kitchen in our Adult Disability Residential unit, Willow View, and updates to the activity zone and nurses’ station in our Children’s Hospice have made a significant impact.
With a General Election on the horizon, we intensified our advocacy efforts this year. Thanks to the support of LauraLynn families, volunteers, staff, and supporters, we secured cross-party backing for making children’s palliative care a priority in the next government program. This will be a key focus for us in 2025.
We were delighted to meet and receive support from some very special people this year, including Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister Stephen Donnelly, our wonderful LauraLynn Ambassadors - Ray D’Arcy, Garry Ringrose, Jenny McCarthy, Fiona Coghlan, and Padraig O’Hora - as well as Miriam O’Callaghan, Bundee Aki, Lyra, David Gillick, Muireann O’Connell, Jordi Murphy, Lea Heart, and Rory O’Connor.
After serving their full terms of office as members of the Board of Directors, this year, we bid farewell Angie Kinane and Tony McPoland, two long-standing and dedicated champions of LauraLynn. We also welcomed new Board Members Aidan Power and Olivia Rigney, who bring fresh perspectives and expertise.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible board, staff, volunteers, donors, and Ambassadors. Your commitment and dedication to LauraLynn inspire us every day. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful supporters who share our vision that children and their families have the care and support they need at all stages of their journey.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.
Warm regards,
Sandra
Sandra O’Malley
Chair of the Board of Directors
