Charity Support

The donation page of our Shine A Light Night for Focus Ireland fundraiser closed on the 30th of November so all donations are now in and accounted for.

As you can see we raised a whopping €11,820 of our €5K goal!

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed and to our fab staff for taking part in this important event to shine a light on homelessness in Ireland.

Meet Champ and his puppy raiser, Kathy!

Champ is settling in to lovely Howth and is enjoying being beside the sea, which he loves.

Kathy is going through early socialisation training with Champ at the moment and introducing him slowly to more and more crowded public spaces. She will work continuously with her dedicated puppy raising supervisor now to gauge Champ’s reactions to certain situations and how he is settling in at home with Kathy.

Kathy is an experienced raiser and supporter of Irish Guide Dogs.

Photos of Champ - he's growing fast!

Education & Training for Children’s Healthcare Team

LauraLynn is required to incorporate on-going learning into its service development initiatives, but unfortunately the cost of this is considerable.  Rosie & Jim, Ballybrittas have supported us this quarter by putting funding towards educational and training resources for our nurses and carers.  Funding for educational books and training for development and up-skilling is crucial to the development of the service and care we provide here.

Sponsorship of our Annual Report

Each year LauraLynn release an Annual Report, where our members, service users and funders can read about our activities and achievements in the past year while learning about our future objectives. It is an invaluable tool for communicating with all our stakeholders. We are hugely grateful to Rosie & Jim for sponsoring our Annual Report this year.

See more about LauraLynn Clinical Education & Training Department >

Best of luck to Ava Corcoran from, Ballybrittas who is braving taking part in the Jump from the Sky, for AFI 2019 event on 15th June. Ava is doing the skydive on behalf of her cousin Maura to raise money for Ataxia Foundation Ireland.  Maura was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when she was 12. Ava contacted us looking for support. Rosie replied to Ava...

"Myself and Jimmy are very happy to provide €500.00 toward your sky dive - well done, you are all very brave!! We are sorry Maura has been diagnosed with what I’m sure is a difficult condition, and hope our contribution goes in some way to help with the support needed for this very worthy cause. I had never heard of this condition and, thanks to caring people like you Ava it helps to bring awareness about what this conditions is, and the lack of support for these difficulties that life throws up! We wish Maura all the very best and hope she is doing well!  Best of luck to you Ava with the sky dive, enjoy I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience!

About AFI

Ataxia Foundation Ireland (CLG) a Company Limited by Guarantee.  This New Voluntary National Support Group is for people affected by Friedreich's Ataxia (the most common Genetic Ataxia) and up to 50 other Ataxia's.  The organisation was founded by four people with Ataxia, to form the board of directors and trustees and have recently increased the board to seven,  five with an Ataxia and two non-disabled people and have established a Management Committee made up of members and volunteers, most of who have supported people with Ataxia for many years.

What is Friedreichs Ataxia?

Friedreichs Ataxia is a genetic and progressive disorder of the central nervous system which usually manifests itself in children between the ages of six and sixteen years. However, in some instances the onset for Friedreichs and other Genetic Ataxia’s can be much later. Because of the genetic factor more than one person in a family may be affected. The general symptoms are clumsiness, difficulties with balance, lack of co-ordination and, in time, a slurring of speech. Although there is no specific treatment for any of the known Ataxia’s, fundamental research into its pathogenesis is ongoing worldwide, and there are, in any case, various ways in which the burden on sufferers and their relatives can be lightened.

Rosie & Jim are delighted to sponsor Fisherstown Festival 2016!

Taking place at the end of June, The Fisherstown Festival is held at the picturesque surrounding of the Fishermans Thatched Inn, at Fisherstown Co. Laois.
The Fishermans Thatched Inn is located on an ancient crossroads on what was once the main highway between Tara; home to the high kings of Ireland and Cashel. A fitting location for the festival to promote community spirit and involvement, and the rich traditional Irish culture.

Find out more on their website >

Say hello to Percy, one of the adorable Irish Guide Dogs puppies proudly sponsored by Rosie & Jim!

Thanks to his puppy raiser Eva in Waterford, we've got a delightful update and some heartwarming photos of Percy enjoying his beach adventures in Tramore.

At 13 weeks old, Percy is already showing us his unique personality. He's a big, sensitive fellow who dives headfirst into new experiences - from bounding around to seeking cuddles for reassurance.
Eva shares,

"Percy is fantastic around people, other dogs, and even our cat. He's a quick learner and hasn't shown any major fears, even during his first trip around Tesco!"

Brave and curious, Percy is acing his early socialisation tests.
But like all youngsters, he has his moments - like deciding to sit mid-walk if the route isn't to his liking!  His toilet training is going splendidly, and he's a fan of sleeping in a bed over a crate.
One of Percy's favourite things? Relaxing by the fireplace in the evenings, watching 'In the Dog House' on TV. He's a true cuddler and loves to be right on your lap.
He's already comfortable in his training jacket and loves car rides and outings. Eva says, "I could go on forever!" - and we absolutely love hearing every bit about Percy's journey!

Join us in cheering on Percy as he continues his journey to becoming a guide dog. We're so proud to be part of his story and grateful to Eva for her amazing work.

Rosie & Jim are delighted to continue to support Emo Celtic Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Soccer Club with a donation of €600.

Emo Celtic Soccer Club, Co. Laois cater for all age groups from Academy age to Under 15's.

Check out the Clubs Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/EmoCeltic

Rosie & Jim have recently sponsored the Fudoshin Wado Kai Carlow, Coxes Lane, Carlow €200. 

The club are seeking funding to contribute towards:
1. Club uniform, training, competition gear such as training tops, gloves, shin pads etc
2. Travel costs for children to enable participation of national/international tournaments
3. Running competitions/ training camps to raise the club profile
4. Purchasing training equipment to help expand the club

Well done to Debbie Long and the team - and best of luck with future competitions! 

Rosie & Jim are proud to support Saint John Of God Hospital by donating €500 at Christmas time.
A fantastic worthy cause, Saint John of God helps people suffering from mental health problems.
Since its foundation in 1882, the mission of Saint John of God Hospital is to bring healing, care and wholeness to people who have mental illness or psychological and emotional problems.
Assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and care are provided in accordance with the highest professional standards and always in keeping with the ethos and caring traditions as modeled for us by Saint John of God.

Find out more about Saint John Of God on their website - http://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/
Keep in touch with Saint John Of God on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjogmentalhealth/

Percy, our adorable sponsored Irish Guide Dog for the Blind!
Percy loves the beach and adores his best friend, the cat. Here they are, snuggled up together for a nap.
Eva, his puppy raiser, says that Percy is learning well, has excellent recall, and is a fantastic socialiser!
We are so proud of his progress.

Rosie & Jim are pleased to have donated cases of our chicken products to Cross Care - a great charity supporting those most in need with Love, Respect & Excellence.

Find out more about this great charity on their website -

crosscare.ie

And stay in touch with them through their social media - 

facebook.com/Crosscare1

twitter.com/crosscare1