CHI Lights Up for The Festive Season
– The celebrations saw the Christmas lights go on across CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght; bringing joy to patients, families and staff
– Bernard Brogan, Santa himself and CHI patients were special guests of honour to switch on the lights at CHI buildings across the city
– Children’s Health Foundation is urging the public to make a special Christmas donation this year to support CHI’s vital and life-saving work and help get kids back to being kids by visiting www.childrenshealth.ie/donate
Christmas arrived for sick children in our children’s hospitals and urgent care centres, with the help of a few familiar faces, including Santa himself. Celebrations kicked off just in time for the Toy Show on Friday 26th November, with CHI at Connolly and Tallaght hitting the switch and lighting the way for the rest of CHI.
CHI at Temple Street welcomed Santa himself yesterday, who joined young patient’s Emily and Amy to switch on thousands of sparkling lights that adorn the façade of the building.
The event in CHI at Temple Street was once again kindly supported by Tesco Ireland, who have raised over €6.5million for the hospital over the past six years of their partnership with Children’s Health Foundation Temple Street.
The lighting up of Dublin children’s hospitals wrapped up last Friday in CHI at Crumlin as Dublin GAA star Bernard Brogan paid a very special visit to illuminate a spectacular festive scene in the grounds of the hospital. The winter wonderland was generously supported by Dalata Hotel Group who are now in their fifth year of supporting Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin, raising over €1.1m in that time.
Eilísh Hardiman, Chief Executive of CHI said, “It’s very difficult having a child in hospital at any time but especially over the Christmas period. It’s a special time for staff across CHI because they get to bring the Christmas magic to these families. Our staff are our biggest asset and have made an absolutely trojan effort to get through the past 18 months. It’s thanks to them and our charity partner Children’s Health Foundation that we are fortunate enough to provide these experiences for patients, families and staff.”
Tracey Wall, Acting Chief of Nursing of CHI, said events through the Christmas period make such a difference to the children and families being treated in the hospitals. “Although we try to get as many of our patients at home for Christmas day, this year approximately 170 of our patients will remain in hospital. It’s important to have these events especially during visiting restrictions and it really provides an opportunity for our patients to change the conversation from their illness, to keep their spirits up and join in the magic of Christmas.”
Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation said, “Christmas is a simply magical time of year for children all over Ireland and it should be no less special for children attending hospital over the festive season. This Christmas, you can make a real difference in the lives of sick children across Children’s Health Ireland by making a special festive donation to support their world-class care. On behalf of the Foundation and everyone in CHI, I would like to warmly thank our supporters, volunteers and friends for your phenomenal support this year and wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas.”
To donate today and support sick children in CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght this Christmas, visit www.childrenshealth.ie/donate.