Kildare family involved in 100km fundraising walk for charity
Staff, customers, families and friends to walk 100km
A local Kildare family is helping to spearhead Life Pharmacy’s nationwide Walk 100km in September fundraising challenge, which returns this year in support of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.
Life Pharmacy, part of the Uniphar Group, is calling on communities across Kildare to lace up and step out this September to raise vital funds for Jack and Jill families across the county and nationwide.
Taking place throughout the month of September, the campaign will see Life Pharmacy teams across Kildare rally staff, customers, families and friends to walk 100km and raise vital funds for Jack and Jill families in their local communities.
This year, the campaign aims to raise €100,000, enough to fund 5,000 hours of in-home nursing care and respite support for families across Ireland. Every €20 raised funds one hour of care, helping Jack and Jill to continue supporting the 43 families currently under its wing in Kildare. Jack and Jill have supported 200 families in the county since 1997.
Local Life Pharmacies will be taking part in sponsored walks and fundraising activities throughout September, inviting customers and communities to get involved by walking, donating, or both.
Mairead Reen, Chairperson, Life Pharmacy, said, “At Life Pharmacy, community is at the heart of everything we do, and the Walk 100km challenge is a powerful way for our teams, customers and local communities to come together for families who need support. We are incredibly proud to partner once again with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation and to help raise vital funds for families in need of support across Ireland.”
Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, said, “We're incredibly proud to launch this year's Walk 100km Challenge alongside our wonderful partners at Life Pharmacy. Together, we've grown this campaign into an inspiring community movement that brings together pharmacy teams, customers, supporters and families across Ireland, all united by one purpose – giving Jack and Jill families the gift of time. I'd like to sincerely thank the entire Life Pharmacy team for their passion, commitment and belief in our mission. As Jack and Jill receives just 20% of its funding from Government, partnerships like this are vital in helping us reach our ambitious fundraising target, which will translate into thousands of precious hours of in-home nursing care and respite support for families. We're especially honoured to have Lesley, Clodagh and their family leading this year's campaign, showing that every step taken and every euro raised can truly change lives."
Dr Ciara Kelly, Newstalk presenter, columnist and campaign ambassador, said, “I’ve long been a firm believer that walking is one of the simplest things we can do for our health, but this September it can also make a real difference for Jack and Jill families across Ireland. The beauty of the Life Pharmacy Walk 100km challenge is that anyone can take part, whether it’s a few kilometres at a time, a walk with friends, or joining your local pharmacy team. Every €20 raised funds one hour of in-home nursing care, so each step has purpose. I’d encourage everyone to get involved, get moving and help turn kilometres into care.”
Speaking at the launch Lesley Ryan, grandmother to Clodagh Parkinson who is supported by Jack and Jill commented, “I have seen first-hand the difference Jack and Jill made for Clodagh and our family, so taking part in the Life Pharmacy Walk 100km challenge last year felt like a way to give something back. Knowing every step would help families like ours made it so worthwhile. I even discovered I enjoyed fundraising and was so grateful to all my supporters when I topped last year’s leaderboard raising €8,500."
Since its foundation, the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has provided vital support to families across Ireland, funding and delivering in-home nursing care, respite support and advocacy for children with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs. Today, Jack and Jill supports 43 families across Kildare, giving parents and carers the gift of time, whether that is time to rest, spend with other children, attend appointments or simply take a much-needed break.
To register for the challenge or make a donation, visit www.lifepharmacy100.ie.