'Truly uplifting': Large sum raised for Longford charity that brings comfort to sick kids

Employees at multinational medical devices and health care company Abbott have raised over €36,000 for Cian’s Kennels.

The charity works with children undergoing medical treatment, facilitating access to family pets or therapy animals, providing comfort during challenging times.

Several fundraising events took place including bake sales, raffles and team challenges. In June, ten Abbott employees completed a ‘plane pull’ at the Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin. This event included a one-kilometre run, team puzzles, a jeep pull and the plane pull.

The funds will help to transport family pets to and from hospital campuses, strengthen volunteer operations and expand outreach to more families across Ireland.

Conor Murphy, Site Director at Abbott’s diagnostics business in Longford, said: “At Abbott, we’re deeply committed to the communities in which we operate, and we’re proud to see the positive impact Cian’s Kennels has on families in Longford and across Ireland. The compassion shown by our employees in supporting Cian’s Kennels has been truly uplifting”.

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Evelyn Neary, Co-Founder and Parent of the late Cian Neary, Cian’s Kennels said: "We sincerely thank Abbott employees and management for their generous support of our work over the past two years.

"Their commitment, energy and passion in fundraising and raising awareness helps us to deliver services that bring comfort to children in hospital, making a real difference to their lives.

"Through this support, Abbott employees are contributing to a wider community effort to ensure that seriously ill children can benefit from time with their own family dog or a therapy dog.

"Academic research has shown that these services—now available at CHI at Crumlin and the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar—have a profoundly positive impact on children in these hospitals."

Margaret Kelleher, General Manager, Mullingar Hospital, said: said: “On behalf of Mullingar Hospital, thank you to Cian’s Kennels for the huge difference they are making to the lives of the children who are patients at the hospital.

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“Every Friday afternoon we have a buzz in the corridors, with patients enjoying time with their family pets or therapy dogs.

“Some patients are in the hospital for several weeks or months at a time, and this service gives them hope, joy, and contributes significantly to their wellbeing.

“We’re grateful to Cian’s Kennels, their sponsors and to Abbott for the positive impact they’re having on some of our youngest patients.”

"Every Friday afternoon we have a buzz in the corridors, with patients enjoying time with their family pets or therapy dogs.

"Some patients are in the hospital for several weeks or months at a time, and this service gives them hope, joy, and contributes significantly to their wellbeing.

"We’re grateful to Cian’s Kennels, their sponsors and to Abbott for the positive impact they’re having on some of our youngest patients.”