Cork preschool planning 'trick or treat' fundraising initiative in aid of well-known charity

A GROUP of pre-schoolers are joining forces to help other children unable to celebrate Halloween as they embark on a 'trick or treat' with a difference.

Irene Heredia, who runs Generation Education pre-school in Glounthaune, is sparing a thought for children in Crumlin Hospital Children's Health Ireland this year with a special fundraiser.

Ms Heredia will be allowing the children ditch pre-school for a day so they can trick-or-treat with her and colleagues around the neighbourhood instead. 

They are planning the event to raise as much funds as possible for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for the families of ill children close to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin.

Irene’s twin children Adam and Paige, who also attend the pre-school, will be in tow on the day. 

‘After schoolers’ will also be among the host of trick or treaters.

Staff and children will be identifiable by their stripes, which they are sporting as part of the 'Wear Your Stripes for Ronald McDonald House Charities' campaign. 

It follows a call to action from the charity who are asking people across Ireland to organise a fundraiser in conjunction with the initiative.

The pre-school has been collecting donations from parents and friends of the school in the run up to their event. 

Irene explained how she came up with the idea.

“I had the idea of doing trick or treating on the first day of camp when I saw that it fell on Halloween”, she said. 

“I told my colleague Maria about the idea and she was right behind me. 

“We have organised a few volunteers from our family and friends to come and walk with us. 

“A couple of weeks before I received an email from Ronald McDonald House Charity with info about the 'Wear Your Stripes' campaign that they do and I thought it'd be a great idea to link it to our trick or treating.

“We even have some t-shirts and socks to wear for staff”.

The pre-school owner extended her gratitude for the support received to date.

“Over the last few days of school this week we had a money box at the entrance and some parents have already donated”, she said.

Irene and her colleagues like to reiterate the importance of giving back to the children they teach.

“I am very excited to host this for Crumlin’s Children's Hospital as I know they do so much for so many children. 

“Whatever we raise from the event, the school will top it up with its own donation to make a substantial contribution to the campaign”.