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Dolls inspired Keeva Delaney to write a great book for Cliona’s Foundation

Keeva Delaney, author of’ ‘The Dolls Complaints’ pictured with Brendan Ring, co-founder of Cliona’s Foundation and RTE broadcaster Miriam O Callaghan. 

Dolls inspired Keeva Delaney to write a great book for Cliona’s Foundation

Hot off the press and ready to hit the shelves in Dunnes Stores nationwide is ‘The Dolls Complaints’, a fantastic book written by the very talented 11-year-old Keeva Delaney from Ballycarney.

What is extra special about the book is that all proceeds from the sale of the book which is priced at a very reasonable €8 will go directly towards the national charity Cliona’s Foundation which provides financial support to families of children with a life-limiting condition.


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Keeva came up with the idea of the book nearly 2 years ago while on a family holiday and in the space of an afternoon had the title and contents nearly completed.

“I wanted to bring toys to life, “said Keeva “and thought that dolls could have some very funny stories to tell to tell about how they feel and how they are treated.”

The book centres on an 8-year-old girl who finds herself in hospital and her sister brings her in letters of complaint from her dolls at home, who miss her terribly.

“When we read the stories we thought they were hilarious,” said Keeva’s mum Maurita and all of the family, dad  Eric and sisters Jane and Sarah helped Keeva fine tune it and helped with the illustrations.  Even our dog Reilly gets to feature.”

But bringing it the step further and putting it to good use was the next challenge and that’s where Cliona’s Foundation came on board.

“I had picked up an information leaflet on Clionas Foundation 2 years ago while visiting Kilkenny Hospital said Maurita and I was very struck by the real practical support they provide to families nationwide. I remember saying at the time that I would love to do something for them, so I contacted them about the book and their reaction was overwhelming and they have been so supportive.”

Coincidentally co-founder and dad of Clionas Brendan Ring run a printing Company called Cube and Brendan and his team at Cube have made what was a dream a reality.

“We are privileged that Keeva and her family chose Cliona’s Foundation and we have developed a wonderful special relationship with them in bringing this beautiful book out. Keeva is an amazing girl and it is so special for us to be the beneficiary of the proceeds,” said Brendan.

 
Cliona’s Foundation provides financial support to families of seriously sick children to help with the non-medical costs of caring for their child.

“Our family travelled that journey with our daughter Cliona for 8 years while she was very sick with an inoperable brain tumour. We met many parents who were struggling with travel, accommodation and daily food costs. In addition, they are dealing with all the mounting bills at home on a reduced income as in nearly all these cases one of the parents gives up work to be with their sick child. When Cliona’s passed we wanted to do something to help these families. 11 years later we have supported over 500 families across 29 counties. But this would not have happened without the public’s generosity as we receive no state funding and it is a struggle to generate enough funds to meet the demand,” Brendan said, “We currently have 34 families on our waiting list.”

Patron of Cliona’s Foundation Miriam O Callaghan was blown away by the book when she met the Delaney family last week and tweeted, “Just had the joy of meeting the uber talented writer 11 yr. old Keeva Delaney who has just written her first children’s book.”

The book “The Dolls Complaints” will be on sale in Dunnes Stores “nationwide from Thursday 15th November and online at www.dunnesstores.com for the reasonably priced €8.

“We really are hoping the book will be an amazing success for Cliona’s Foundation,” said Maurita Delaney, “and we are so thankful to Dunnes Stores who have agreed to stock the book exclusively in all their stores nationwide. This is just amazing and every cent of the €8 paid for the book will be going directly to Cliona’s Foundation. A very special gesture by Dunnes Stores.”

 

For more information, see www.clionasfoundation.ie

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.