Aoibheann’s Lighthouse Project is launched – A Beacon of Light for the Families of Children Receiving Cancer Treatment in Ireland
Aoibheann’s Lighthouse Project is launched – 30th November 2019 – A Beacon of Light for the
Families of Children Receiving Cancer Treatment in Ireland
Date: Saturday 30th November 2019
Where: 80 Drimnagh Road, Dublin 12
#aoibheannspinktie
#fightlikeachild
#kickingtheshiteoutofcancer
#stripanddip
The Aoibheann’s Lighthouse Project will be a vital service, giving families from every part of Ireland who have a child receiving cancer treatment in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, clean, safe, purpose-built accommodation for the period of their child’s treatment. The completed house will comprise of a bedroom and wet room on the ground floor as well as three other bedrooms and a separate bathroom upstairs. The house has been renovated to high-spec standard for hygiene standards which is key for families with sick children who will be availing of the facility.
This is the culmination of 10 years of fund-raising with Aoibheann’s Pink Tie – which started after the death of Jimmy Norman’s 8 year old daughter Aoibheann. That fund-raising has resulted in the purchase of a House – Aoibheann’s Lighthouse – in Drimnagh Dublin. Funds for the house are being boosted considerably with the continuing proceeds of Strip and Dip – a huge fundraising initiative by Deirdre Featherstone, herself a cancer survivor. 2018 saw Strip and Dip break the world record for most skinny dippers with 2,505 women braving the cold, an accolade which is now featured in the current Guinness Book of World Records.
The project has been co-ordinated and managed by Mick Rochford, who is a co-founder of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.
Funds were also raised by long-term fundraising partners the National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland. Said Anthony Kirwan, PRO, NRFA; “Our firefighters have a caring ethos, a spirit of volunteerism and a need to achieve something real. Most people know somebody who has been touched by fire much like cancer so we the firefighters of Ireland are here to help with both current and future APT projects like this. The firefighters’ message to the people of Ireland is that we are here to help put the fire out on children’s cancer”.
As the fundraising continued, over 20 tradespeople volunteered their time to make this house a home from home for families whose children are receiving treatment at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin. Trades people and suppliers from all over Ireland have been donating time, services and product to this project to get it up and running as soon as possible.
The incredible fundraising initiatives which allowed both the purchase and refurbishment of Aoibheann’s Lighthouse were made possible by the fundraising from Strip and Dip, The Wedding P.A. and the NRFA. Sponsors include DHL, Boeing, Dublin Aerospace, Woodies, Mattress Mick and Des Kelly , the people of the Cooley Peninsula and Whitestown. Donations for Aoibheann’s Lighthouse also includes Chadwicks, Leucretia Tiles, Paul Sallinger, Architect, David Spratt, Alufract and William Cox for the seating and play area, Ken Electrics, Ulster Bank Blanchardstown, Marc Foley for the Kitchen and Wardrobes, Stanley Fireplace, MGT Gutters, Stephen Gallagher, Panasonic, RE Large, and Robert Dowling Blinds.
Thanks to all these fundraisers, volunteers and suppliers for the house which was purchased for €351,000 and renovated at a cost of €150,000 plus contents, which will be launched mortgage free and ready to receive guests from December 2019.
Media Contact: Pictures/Interviews/Any Special Features/Ideas
Aileen Eglington, AE Consulting
T: 00 353 1 2948080
M: 00 353 87 2505007
E: aileen.eglington@aeconsult.ie
Aoibheann’s Pink Tie
Aileen Eglington
MD
AE Consulting
Ferndale
Enniskerry Rd.
Kilternan
Dublin 18
Ireland
Phone: 353 1 294 8080/292 1831
Mobile: 353 87 2505007
