What we’ve done and what we’ve achieved…

2010 CHEQUE HANDOVER

In Jan 2010 we began our fundraising campaign for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, to reward them for the amazing quality of care they gave you during your stays. St Teresa’s Ward is renowned for its care; the staff is second to none and its surgeon’s world class. We met many amazing brave babies during your stays on St Teresa’s Ward and we felt it our duty to give something back and make a difference to the lives of those seriously sick children.

Our starting point was to set up The Billy Murphy Memorial Fund and design a logo with the help of Nevada Designs. We then compiled database of all local & national businesses that we felt could help us on our mission to raise at least €50k for OLCHC.

Among the list of charity work we done in your honour were Wax & Shave April 2010 night with the fantastic support of the staff of Wheatfield Prison, Wags Table Quiz 2010 and Wags & Lads Table Quiz 2011 with fantastic support from Edenderry Town FC, might I add I did you extra proud being on the winning team both years J We held 2 other Table Quizzes with support from Edenderry Coursing Angling Club & O’Donoghues Bar & Lounge. My amazing uncle Martin held Darts Tournaments in 2010 & 2011.Two outstanding prison officers from Wheatfield Prison Conor Fennessey & Neill Connolly Walked the Wicklow Way 132km hike over 4 days, an amazing achievement in 2010. Local Schools & Playschools held Pyjama Days, Teddy Bears Picnic, No-Uniform Days, and Raffles while others donated money to the fund. We’ve held The Billy Murphy Memorial Golf Classic 2 years running now and with great work from Alan Higgins both years were huge successes having Shane Lowry as our patron. The Flora Ladies Mini Marathon 2010 saw 36 people run, walk & jog the 10k for The Billy Murphy Memorial Fund I even did it while pregnant on your little brother. In 2011 we’d a smaller group but I managed it after a 3 hour exam in Croke Park jogging the full 10k, passing that finish line gave me such a sense of achievement. Another officer from Wheatfield Prison Eoin Hiney did the Wexford Strawberry Festival ½ Marathon in 2010, a group of strangers from Herbalife approached friends of friends to do the Dingle Half Marathon in 2010. Two of our best friends Martin Moules & Alan Connolly ran the Dublin City Marathon in Oct 2010. In May 2010 Offaly & Kildare managers agreed to play Charity Football Match for the fund. And in December 2010 another stranger Frank McNally musician from Portlaoise and his wife Siobhan approached us to do a music festival which was ran across 3 pubs and was hugely supported.

The support and encouragement we received from local and national business was amazing, strangers from near and far wanted to get involved and do something for the fund. This support touched our hearts and our families were the backbone to very successful fundraising. During 2010 & 2011 we raised almost €70k through The Billy Murphy Memorial Fund for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. With this money Convertible Chair Beds as well as High Back Chairs and Foot Stools was purchased for the rooms in St Teresa’s ward. Over €10k was also donated to the Ladies Committee in assisting them with a break away area for parents to ease the stress of long hospital stays, meet with other parents and have a kind of home away from home. The balance of funds was split with St Teresa’s Ward improvements and research.

When its all down on pen and paper I just cant believe what a difference you have made by existing, you’re presence in those 5 ½ months was just powerful and you’ve left an imprint in the hearts of everyone who has heard your story and everyone who has supported the fund.