Tipperary twins named as ambassadors for national Woodie's Heroes Campaign

Tipperary twins, Heleanna and Mary Ann, are the brand ambassadors for this year’s Woodie’s Heroes fundraiser.

The annual 2023 Woodie’s Heroes campaign is now live in Woodie’s stores across Ireland and will run until August 12.

This is the 9th year of the campaign which has raised €3 million for Irish children's charities since 2015.

Each year, Woodie’s works with the chosen charities to select an ambassador that represents the charity and this year, Heleanna and Mary Ann are the Woodie’s Heroes ambassadors for Make-A-Wish Ireland.  

Tipperary twins, Heleanna and Mary Ann age 10, live with a rare genetic condition called Hunters syndrome (also known as Hurlers syndrome).

Heleanna and Mary Ann had their two wishes granted last year right before their 10th birthday. Heleanna received her dream purple playhouse with a swing set for their back garden, while Mary Ann visited Disney UK with Make-A-Wish and met all her favourite princesses.

Helen, the twin's mum, said that the impact of their wish was beyond words, stating “it’s something the girls never stop talking about. To say it felt like a dream is an understatement”. 

Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, bringing hope, strength, and happiness.

When helping to plan a wish, the wish granters tell children to think about what makes them smile most just before they go to bed, and if they are still smiling and thinking about it in the morning, then that’s the wish for them.

Children who are eligible for wishes would often have frequent hospital visits for ongoing treatment and/or surgery. Their wish gives them something wonderful to focus on and positively Impacts the entire family.

Make-A-Wish currently have 250 children who are now waiting for their wish to happen.