Cliona’s Foundation launch ‘Give a Gift that REALLY matters’ Christmas Campaign

Cliona’s Foundation launch ‘Give a Gift that REALLY matters 2025 Christmas Campaign

Cliona’s Foundation launch their “Give a Gift that REALLY matters” 2025 Christmas Campaign to raise funds for families who are caring for a seriously sick child this Christmas season

Cliona’s Foundation launch their “Give a Gift that REALLY matters” Christmas Campaign, which aims to raise funds for families who are caring for a seriously sick child this Christmas season.

It is estimated that there are 4000 families caring for a child with a serious and/or life limiting illness in Ireland right now with many of them struggling with the substantial non-medical costs of caring for their child while in hospital or at home.

Cliona’s Foundation is a national organisation providing financial support for these families 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. Cliona’s have provided financial support to over 1,700 families across the island of Ireland.  Cliona’s believe that no family should suffer financial distress while caring for a seriously ill child.

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In response to the growing crisis that families with sick children find themselves in, Clionas are aiming to raise funds through “Give a Gift that REALLY matters”. The idea is to give those who purchase a gift for a loved one, to get something wonderful in return. This year gift options available include a chance to win a voucher for €999 for the stunning Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny.

The charity also invites you to fill its online Christmas Tree with glowing butterflies, each one a symbol of love. Light a Butterfly in memory of someone you miss, or in celebration of someone who brings light to your life today.

Cliona’s said, “Last but not least on Cliona’s Christmas gift list this year is our book described by publican & journalist Billy Keane as a dipping book, and when you dip it’s a lucky dip. “Yarns, lies, half truths and other stories” which is a collection full of humour, common sense and general goodness. The book contains 123 yarns and stories which will make you laugh out loud. A bargain buy at just €10 with 100% of the proceeds going Clionas.”

Cliona’s Co-Founder and Voluntary CEO Brendan ring addressed the seriousness of the issue facing families here in Ireland saying, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who have supported Cliona’s in 2025. This is a very special and ambitious campaign which will help make a huge difference to families who desperately need financial support while caring for their seriously ill child. It has never been more important to raise the awareness for the ‘forgotten families’ Cliona’s work with.

“The cost-of-living is having a major impact this winter. As a result, more families with seriously sick children or children with a life-limiting illness, who would likely not have needed our financial support before, are now coming to us for help. Without everyone working so closely for a common goal, this campaign would never have happened”

For the team at Cliona’s the impact of the support the families receive is reflected in the many emails and calls they receive from families after they receive their cheque. Their openness about their struggles is both humbling and inspiring.

2025 also marks 17 years of working on behalf of the “forgotten families” of Ireland whose daily struggles are at the heart of the endeavors of Cliona’s Foundation. So many of us are parents, we have all had to take care of a sick child at some stage in our lives. For most of us our precious child bounces back and all is well again, but for approximately 4,000 families in Ireland this is not the case, they face an arduous, daily struggle with long term, life-limiting illness.  

Cliona’s Foundation expects at least 200 families will have applied for financial assistance by the end of this year. Cliona’s “Give a Gift that Really Matters” Christmas Campaign has officially launched on Clionas.ie