Clionas 5kaday challenge raises €7,000 for childrens charity

Clionas 5kaday challenge – Graham Burns Regional Director CPL  handing over cheque to Brendan Ring, Cliona’s 

Clionas 5kaday challenge raises €7,000 for childrens charity

Like all charities Cliona’s Foundation fundraising plans and traditional income opportunities have been hit hard by COVID.

In the absence of any annual state support, they are faced with a major challenge to secure the required funds to keep providing the services to families caring for a seriously sick child.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

“2020 was such an uncertain and worrying time,” said Brendan Ring co-founder of Cliona’s. All scheduled evets were cancelled, and we were wondering how we were going to survive. But we were blown away by the way old and new supporters came in around us, coming up with new ways of raising funds. We had webinars, the Work Life Blend Book, virtual runs, barbeques and music sessions and so much more.  The income from these along with money from other sources support to 110 families during the year. Families which need this support more now than ever.”

Fast forward to 2021 and it is looking like a repeat of 2020 with charities having to be innovative in how funds are generated.

Cliona’s were supported in their new year efforts with the Clionas 5kaday challenge in January which was initiated by a very loyal supporter Graham Burns from CPl.

“We have for the past number of years as a family and through CPL always supported Cliona’s. We really admire the work they do, and the necessity and impact of the support they provide,” commented Graham.

Parents caring for a seriously sick child are four times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than parents with healthy children. #ForgottenFamilies Please help us to support these families by donating to @ClionasFDN https://t.co/74Jmp5iXiy pic.twitter.com/Hf8Jvqfix2

— Cliona’s (@ClionasFDN) April 7, 2021

“Recognising the difficulties with fundraising and capitalising on people’s eagerness to start the year in a healthy manner I came up with the #5kaday for the month of January. People could walk run, cycle and were encouraged to post their daily efforts on social media but also make a donation to the gofundme page. We set the target of €2,000 and hit the ground on the 1^st January with wonderful support from all over the country and a very healthy and competitive banter developing on social media.”

In was fantastic to see Lough Derg Development come on board donating €500 for Hillary Cleary to be their ambassador and partake in the daily challenge.

Carl Widger of METIS Ireland bravely set the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of €3,000 and offered to shave his head if donations reached this figure.

“I just said I would throw the gauntlet down,” said Carl, “with all the barbers shut, the hair in a mess, I though why not use the opportunity to encourage further donations.”

The response to BHAG was fantastic and by the end of the month the challenge of €7,000 had been donated with Carl Widger fulfilling his promise.

“I was just blown away by the support,” said Graham, “and delighted to know that this money will provide support to a number of families. Thank you to everyone involved, we had great fun but also made a great start to the year for everyone involved and those it will benefit.”

Cliona’s Foundation were also delighted with the fantastic donation saying, “This is another example of the generosity of people and we are so grateful to Graham Burns for driving this, Lough Derg Community Development for their support, Carl Widger for going bald, and everyone who participated and donated. It was a really great start to the year for Cliona’s.”

For more stories on Cliona’s go HERE 

For more information on Cliona’s Foundation, donate or apply for financial assistance, go HERE