'Every step helps us support children': People urged to take part in hospice challenge in Cork 

Generous and fit people in Cork are being encouraged to take part in a Treadmill Challenge next month in aid of LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice.

The annual fundraiser began in Dublin and is coming to Cork for the first time on Thursday, May 22.

It will take place during Children’s Hospice Week at Virgin Media Park, as well as in LauraLynn’s campus in Leopardstown, Dublin.

How did this novel idea come about?

“The concept came from Australia,” explains Mallow Regional Fundraiser Elaine Buckley. “The team were looking to host a fun fundraising event, and the Treadmill Challenge was launched in Dublin last year with huge success.”

Cork got on the bandwagon.

“It was a 24-hour event to highlight the fact the services of LauraLynn are available to patients and their families 24 hours, offering 24-hour care, 24/7.

“This year, the Cork Treadmill Challenge will be the first time the event is held outside of Dublin. It is hoped we’ll see a great turn-out,” says Elaine.

The event in Cork will be shorter than the Dublin one, at 12 hours.

“The event will take place over 12 hours from 10am to 10pm with participants registering for a half-hour slot,” says Elaine.

“The charity is calling on members of the public, community groups, business owners, and companies in Cork to sign up for a slot to keep the treadmills in motion throughout 12 hours in Cork.”

Every step is important.

“Every step participants take on the treadmill helps LauraLynn support children with life-limiting conditions and their families through the challenges they face,” says Elaine.

“The 12-hour event in Cork and 24-hour event in Dublin represent the continuous care that parents and carers provide to their children with life-limiting conditions.”

LauraLynn has a huge impact on parents and carers looking after their families.

“LauraLynn is our saviour, our helper,” says LauraLynn mum, Gladys Akognon. “Without their help and support, I wouldn’t have been able to last this long.”

LauraLynn CEO Kerry McLaverty understands how much Gladys and other parents and carers rely on LauraLynn. She is thrilled to bring the Treadmill Challenge to Cork.

“This event not only raises vital funds for our hospice, but also brings our supporter community together in a powerful way,” says Kerry.

“Every step taken during this challenge helps us provide essential care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.”

She knows the power of the people, and of those in Cork.

“We encourage everyone in Cork to join us,” says Kerry. “Whether you’re running, jogging, or walking, you can make a meaningful impact.

“Last year, the event attracted a number of well-known personalities from the worlds of television and sport,” says Elaine, “including Fiona Coghlan, Jodi Murphy, David Gillick, Muireann O’Connell, and Laura Lynn patron Miriam O’Callaghan.

“By fundraising to take part, participants help provide essential care and support, ensuring that children receive the best possible care at the hospice, in hospital, or in the comfort of the child’s own home.”

May 22 promises to be an amazing day in Cork. “Several well-known Cork personalities are signed up to attend our inaugural Cork event,” says Elaine. “Attendees can walk, jog, or run for their 30-minute time slot and are required to fundraise €250 per 30-minute slot.”

“We require ongoing funding,” adds Elaine. “Our target this year is €10.1 million. The Children’s Hospice is in Leopardstown, Dublin, while our LauraLynn community-based care teams operate in Cork, Mallow and Dublin.”

To participate in Cork’s 12-hour Treadmill Challenge for LauraLynn, sign up to receive a time slot on www.lauralynn.ie/treadmillchallenge. Then activate the fundraiser to start the collection.

LauraLynn is Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice, providing palliative and hospice care and support for children (0-18 years), with life-limiting conditions and their families from all across Ireland.

It provides a range of services including symptom management for children, music and play therapy, psychological support, family and sibling camps, short breaks, bereavement support, crisis and End of Life Care.

Care can be availed of in LauraLynn’s specialist hospice in Leopardstown. Care can also be delivered in hospital, in the community, or in the family’s home, depending on the location and medical needs of the child and the family’s preference.

LauraLynn’s Care in the Community Team currently provide care and supports to children and families in their homes in the Leinster region, the service operating from Mallow services families across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and South Tipperary, while Ballinasloe Community Team offer services and support to children and their families in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, North Tipperary, Sligo and Clare.

It relies primarily on fundraised income to fund its hospice services.

Since opening in 2011, LauraLynn has supported over 872 children and their families, including siblings, parents, and grandparents.

About Mallow Community Services

“The LauraLynn in the Community Team is a community-based service with teams operating from our Hospice in Dublin, a base in Mallow, and a base in Ballinasloe,” says Elaine.

“Our Community Team provides care and supports in the home for children and their families. We work collaboratively with services that already exist in the regions and complements those existing services supporting children and families in the region. LauraLynn has a multi-disciplinary team working across the service, providing care and supports to whole family units including siblings, parents, grandparents and the wider family.

“Medical care is provided along with additional palliative care supports including Music Therapy, Play Therapy, Counselling and Bereavement Care.”

LauraLynn has an ambitious growth strategy.

“Cork, Kerry and Limerick were identified as a region with a lot of need outside of the greater Leinster region, so were chosen as our first Community-based locations outside of Dublin,” says Elaine.

“We have since expanded our community team in the west with a hub in Ballinasloe.

In total, since opening in Mallow in 2022, 33 families have been supported and 3,500 visits completed.

“There are a total of 13 staff (some part-time) working from our Mallow Team Office,” says Elaine. “Including team lead, (nurse manager), clinical nurse specialist, music therapist, play therapist, staff nurses and an administrator.”

For further information, please visit lauralynn.ie.