Metis Ireland Invests in Cliona’s Foundation as main Christmas Gala sponsor

Presenter Muireann O’Connell, Brendan Ring CEO of Cliona’s Foundation and Paddy Andrews Metis Ireland launch their partnership.

Metis Ireland Invests in Cliona’s Foundation and join forces with Muireann O’Connell to host second annual Cliona’s Foundation Christmas Gala  

Cliona’s Foundation, who have helped more than 1,500 families over the past 16 years, is joining forces with TV presenter Muireann O’ Connell to host its second Christmas Gala in Dublin’s Marker Hotel.

The event is sponsored by Metis Ireland which means that all proceeds from ticket/table sales will go directly toward helping Cliona’s families.

The event, set to take place on Thursday, November 28, aims to raise funds for Cliona’s Foundation with a goal on the night to raise €55,000 which will benefit up to 22 families.

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Cliona’s Foundation 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 1,500 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.

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 act and set up Cliona’s Foundation, in honour of their daughter.

Speaking about the importance of the fundraising event, Cliona’s Co-Founder and CEO Brendan Ring said, “So many families with sick children 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 Metis and Muireann for their support again this year ensuring the Gala’s success.  Our need is badly needed. By investing in Cliona’s Metis are playing a vital part in helping out families in need.”

Carl Widger, Managing Director, Metis Ireland commented, “Metis Ireland are delighted to show our continued support to the incredible work carried out by all the team at Cliona’s Foundation assisting families all across Ireland.

“The annual Christmas Gala is a key fundraiser for the charity as well as being a brilliant social event in the calendar. Our values of integrity, honesty and a commitment to making a difference, are very much aligned with the values held by the foundation. Metis Ireland are proud to sponsor this year’s activities.”

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

Cliona’s survey found that in 70% of families who received financial help, 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.

Cliona’s Foundation expects at least 200 families will apply for financial assistance this year and will need to raise a minimum of €500,000 to meet these applications. To learn more and to help please visit Cliona’s website or tune in to the two-part documentary “Ireland’s Forgotten Families” which is readily available on their website.