Cliona’s Foundation 2025 Christmas Gala announced for November 27 in Dublin’s Marker Hotel

TV presenter Muireann O’ Connell and Paddy Andrews join forces with Clionas Foundation to host its third annual Christmas Gala 2025. Photo: Aidan Oliver

Metis Ireland joins forces with Muireann O’Connell and Paddy Andrews to host the third annual Clionas Foundation Christmas Gala 2025

TV presenter Muireann O’ Connell and Paddy Andrews join forces with Cliona’s Foundation to host its third annual Christmas Gala in Dublin’s Marker Hotel.

The event is sponsored by Metis Ireland, which means that all proceeds from ticket/table sales will go directly toward helping Cliona’s families.

The event, set to take place on 27th November, aims to raise funds for Cliona’s Foundation – the goal on the night is to raise €50,000, which will benefit up to 22 families. Cliona’s Foundation is a national charity providing financial assistance directly to parents of children with life-limiting or chronic complex care needs across Ireland to help with the non-medical expenses related to caring for their child. Since 2008, the foundation has provided financial assistance to over 1,700 families.

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The foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring, following the death of their daughter Cliona, from an inoperable brain tumour in 2006, aged 15. Over the years, as Cliona underwent numerous different hospital treatments, Brendan and Terry were struck by the number of families, facing enormous financial hardship, on the brink of financial free-fall, blindsided by non-medical expenses piling up. They saw at first-hand the enormous toll it took on these families, already struggling to cope with the nightmare of having a seriously ill child. They decided to act and set up Cliona’s Foundation, in honour of their daughter.

Speaking of the importance of fundraising events for the organisation, Cliona’s Co-Founder and CEO Brendan Ring, said, “So many families with sick children experienced, and continue to experience, the significant non-medical costs of caring for a child with a life-limiting condition. We are incredibly grateful to Metis, Muireann and Paddy for their support again this year ensuring the Gala’s success.  Our support is badly needed. By investing in Cliona’s Metis are playing a vital part in helping out families in need.”

Carl Widger, Managing Director, Metis Ireland, commented, “Metis Ireland are delighted to show our continued support to the incredible work carried out by all the team at Cliona’s Foundation assisting families all across Ireland. The annual Christmas Gala is a key fundraiser for the charity as well as being a brilliant social event in the calendar. Our values of integrity, honesty and a commitment to making a difference, are very much aligned with the values held by the foundation. Metis Ireland are proud to sponsor this year’s activities again this year”.

Paddy Andrews spoke of his excitement about co-hosting this year “It’s a real privilege to co-host this special evening with Muireann and to support the incredible work Cliona’s Foundation does for families across Ireland,” said Paddy Andrews. “The strength and resilience shown by the families they help is truly inspiring, and it’s amazing to see so many people come together to make a difference.”

A survey conducted by Cliona’s shows how families with sick children are often disproportionately affected by situations out of their control, such as increasing living costs. These are parents who are in a living nightmare and the last thing they should have to worry about are bills. Cliona’s survey found that in 70% of families who received financial help, at least one parent must give up their job to care for their sick child leaving them struggling to cope. Studies have highlighted that a family will need between €10,000 and €15,000 a year to cover various non-medical costs while their child is ill.

Cliona’s release their first ever Impact report in 2025 with findings such as 52% of families were forced to borrow from friends or families to meet the additional costs, with almost 20% of families accessing loans from a financial institution to fund additional expenses.    

Cliona’s Foundation expects at least 200 families will apply for financial assistance this year and will need to raise a minimum of €500,000 to meet these applications. To learn more and to help please visit www.clionas.ie or tune in to the two-part documentary “Ireland’s Forgotten Families” which is readily available on their website.