Go Green for LauraLynn

LauraLynn is a hospice for children with life-limiting conditions and residential care for children and young adults with disabilities.

Located in Dublin, they employ approximately 140 staff within our teaching, fundraising and care provision departments.

LauraLynn’s mission is to provide a Community of Care that delivers evidence-based, personalised services to children with palliative care needs, complex care needs, and complex disabilities, while also providing family support services and a home to our residents where quality-of-life is paramount.

It all started with Jane and Brendan McKenna and their two daughters, Laura and Lynn. The youngest daughter Laura, was born with a hole in her heart, and having endured and survived six months and two serious operations in Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin, went on to have a few relatively good years, with the final repair operation to come. Sadly, when it did, Laura did not survive it and died in 1999, aged just four. Lynn, on the other hand, had 13 years of perfect health until she was diagnosed with Leukaemia just days before her younger sister passed away. She sadly passed away aged 15.

Through their personal experience, Jane and Brendan were aware of the need for support and palliative care in a home from home environment, so they established the LauraLynn Foundation and dreamed of building a hospice dedicated to their memory. They worked tirelessly raising funds and fulfilled their dream when they joined forces with The Children’s Sunshine Home Hospice Project and succeeded in the building of a dedicated children’s palliative care unit. It was opened in September 2011 by President Mary McAleese and since then has provided care and support to more than 450 families from the time of diagnosis, through crises and, where required, at end of life and into bereavement. This award winning healthcare building and it’s everyday operations are funded by the generous support of our donors.

IRD Duhallow will be participating on the GoGreen Day for Laura Lynn this year and invites you all to take part too! We’ll be dressing in green on the 15th, ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend and raising as much funds as we can for this great service

Jane McKenna with her late daughters, Laura and Lynn.

President Mary McAleese officially opening the LauraLynn hospice in 2011.

How to Donate

You can donate online through the LauraLynn websitewww.lauralynn.ie/donate

By using this link, funds are transferred automatically to LauraLynn.

Photos! Photos! Photos!

And don’t forget to tag LauraLynn (@lauralynnhospice) on any social media posts showing off your green attire!

To readers of Discover Duhallow, we invite you to share any photos with us as well either by email at discoverduhallow@irduhallow. com or share with us on our Facebook page, ‘Discover Duhallow Magazine’.

Thank you all for supporting this tremendous and vital cause!