Finbarr Brougham and friends raise €3,315 cycling 65km for Clionas Foundation

Finbarr Brougham pictured above (centre) with his friends Fergal Deegan and Mike Gavin, who have raised €3,315 for Clionas Foundation by cycling 65km in celebration of Finbarr’s 65^th birthday.

Finbarr Brougham and friends have raised €3,315 cycling 65km for Clionas Foundation

By I Love Limerick correspondent Peter Cooney

Finbarr Brougham and friends Fergal Deegan, Mike Gavin and Martin Waters have raised €3,315 for Clionas Foundation by cycling 65km to celebrate Finbarr’s 65^th birthday.

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The crew set on their cycle on April 18th to raise money for a worthwhile cause Clionas Foundation which aims to support families of critically ill children.

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 16. 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 take action and set up Cliona’s Foundation, in honour of their daughter, a charity that uniquely provides financial assistance to families with children who have life limiting conditions.

Well done and thank you to @Brofin14 who for his 65th birthday cycled 65km today raising over €3k for @ClionasFDN , supported by @DeeganFergal, Martin & Mike – just fantastic #helpingushelpothers #forgottenfamilies pic.twitter.com/8MCq82VzvC

— Cliona’s (@ClionasFDN) April 17, 2021

Since its launch, Cliona’s Foundation has raised in excess of €2 million and has helped more than 800 families across 31 Counties. It is Brendan and Terry’s intimate understanding of the stress brought upon these families that explains the diversity of expenses covered by Cliona’s Foundation – from rent, food, utility bills to transportation for chemotherapy or alternative therapies, to a treat for a sibling and even covering the cost of a child’s funeral.

Cliona’s Foundation relies 100% on income raised through a range of activities including events and fundraising, corporate donations, philanthropy and private donations and partnerships with other charities.

Finbarr speaking on the fundraiser and what Clionas Foundation means to him said, “This charity provides 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 and any contribution would be greatly appreciated.”

Clionas Foundation later thanked Finbarr and the other cyclists for their generosity and said, “Thank you to Finbarr for gifting his birthday to Cliona’s, his cycle crew and to all who donated and supported – making a real difference to families of seriously sick children.”

For more stories on the Clionas Foundation go HERE 

For more information on the Clionas Foundation go HERE