Cliona’s Foundation sees stars shine at the 2025 Christmas Gala raising more than €60,000

Cliona’s Foundation sees stars shine at the 2025 Christmas Gala raising more than €60,000. Paddy Andrews, Muireann O’Connell, Katelyn Cummins, Terry Ring, MD of Metis Ireland Carl Widger, Brendan Ring, Cliona’s Foundation Gala Christmas Ball 2025

The Metis Ireland and Cliona’s Foundation 2025 Christmas Gala saw the stars come out in support at The Marker Hotel in Dublin

TV Presenter Muireann O’Connell joined forces with Paddy Andrews and hosted Cliona’s third  Christmas Gala Ball on Thursday, November 27, at The Marker hotel in Dublin.

The gala was generously sponsored by Metis Ireland, which means that all profits went towards helping the families that Cliona’s Foundation supports. Over €60,000 was raised on the night, providing 24 family grants of €2500 each to struggling families just in time for Christmas.    

Cliona’s 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 1700 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.

A few well-known faces joined Muireann and Paddy last night, including artist Audrey Hamilton and International Rose of Tralee, Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins ,who is an ambassador for Cliona’s Foundation.

The auctioneer on the night was comedian Alan Shortt, who did a phenomenal job of raising much-needed funds. Entertainment on the night was provided by Alex Fitzpatrick, otherwise known as DJ Al Fizzy. The incredible a capella group, The Ramparts, donated their time and talent free of charge as part of their charity endeavours this year.  

Speaking of her reason for getting involved with Cliona’s again, Muireann said, “I was honoured to be asked to host this event once again for Cliona’s Foundation. The foundation is a wonderful charity who provide financial support for families who are caring for a child with a life-limiting illness. I am delighted that together we can support a worthy and meaningful cause and raise much-needed awareness this Christmas”

Speaking about the importance of fundraising events for the organisation was Cliona’s Co-Founder and CEO, Brendan Ring. “So many of these families 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 Muireann for her support this year and her help in ensuring the gala’s success. We are also very grateful to the generous management of Metis Ireland who have sponsored the gala. We need support more than ever. This year again, we have seen a record number of families who need our help.”

A recent survey conducted by Cliona’s shows how families with sick children are often disproportionately affected by situations out of their control, such as rapidly increasing living costs. These are parents who are in a living nightmare, and the last thing they should have to worry about is bills. Cliona’s survey found that in 70% of families, 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.

During the ball, Cliona’s took the opportunity to launch their Christmas appeal for 2025, which asks people to Give a Gift That Matters to #makeitmagic for families who are struggling financially while caring for a seriously sick child. Cliona’s are hoping that people will donate what they can or enter their Christmas raffle to win a €995 voucher for the exquisite Newpark Hotel Kilkenny. Cliona’s are keen to ensure that no family who applies for help will have to wait for financial assistance, especially at Christmas, a time for making precious memories with their sick child.          

Commenting on the event, Carl Widger, MD of Metis Ireland, said, “Metis are proud to support such a worthy cause and delighted that the Ball raised much-needed funds for Cliona’s Foundation to help families throughout the country. It is important that as many corporate organisations like Metis Ireland get behind National charities such as Cliona’s, making a difference in the heart of every community in Ireland, because it really can make a huge impact.”

Since Metis came on board as title sponsor, the event has raised over €110,000.  

Cliona’s Foundation expects a record number of families will apply for financial assistance again 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. Visit the charity’s website to support Cliona’s Christmas appeal this year.