Kildare's Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation awarded €34,500 from AIB Community €1 Million Fund

Kildare's Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has been awarded €34,500 from the AIB Community €1 Million Fund.

This donation will fund 1,916 hours of specialist in-home nursing care and respite support for local Jack and Jill families. 

Having been nominated by AIB customers and the public, as well as AIB staff, this much-needed fundraising boost will support 1,916 hours of specialist in-home nursing care for children with severe to profound neurodevelopmental delay, up to the age of six, in communities across Ireland. The charity also provides end-of-life care to all children under six, regardless of their diagnosis. 

Jack and Jill was set up by pioneering parents Jonathan Irwin and Mary Ann O’Brien 25 years ago and since then, over 2,800 children and their families have been supported by Jack and Jill. Currently, there are over 400 children across the country receiving care from Jack and Jill’s specialist nursing team. 

Earlier this year, AIB launched its inaugural €1 Million Community Fund and asked its staff, customers and the wider public to nominate registered charities that connect with causes that matter most to them and their communities. The charities that received the most nominations in each of the five regions (Connaught, Munster, Ulster (RoI), Leinster and Greater Dublin) received funding.

Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill said: “We are delighted to have been nominated by AIB staff, customers and the public as a charity that matters to them, and to receive this donation of €34,500 which translates into a lifeline of home nursing support for so many families, giving parent carers a much-needed break. Fundraising is an increasingly uphill challenge, and this timely donation gives us a real boost in this, our 25th anniversary year.  Thank you so much to our friends in AIB and their customers who nominated Jack and Jill – your support will have a big impact for the families who need us.”