Caring Gordon's fundraiser in aid of Jack and Jill
Maddie with her parents, Gordon and Gemma
A LAOIS-based man is organising a fundraiser in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.
Gordon Gee, store manager of the Abbeyleix-based garden machinery and landscaping business E.C. Pratt & Co, is organising a raffle to ‘give back’ to the charity, which provides home nursing care and support to families caring for children with neurodevelopmental delay due to brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy, and undiagnosed conditions.
Gordon and his family availed of the charity’s services when it was discovered his daughter, Maddie (5), had a brain disorder.
“They've been very good to us over the years”, he says.
“They can be there for anywhere up to three-to-four hours, or five or six hours during the day, and you can go off and get stuff done.” Until summer 2024, Maddie was in a mainstream creche with staff that could care for her. She loved it, says Gorden. After it closed, it seemed like Maddie’s family could not find her appropriate care for the summer months. Jack and Jill stepped in to help.
“We had nowhere to bring her. If it wasn't for Jack and Jill that summer, we would have cracked up. They were amazing”.
The nurses who visit Maddie are her best friends, says Gordon. In 2025, Maddie underwent brain surgery in London.
“We were stressed out, but Maddie was brilliant”, he says. “She was amazing, a real trooper coming through that”.
The raffle opens on 1 February, with a special event taking place on the premises of E.C. Pratt on 11 April. Attendees can expect special demonstrations from the Laois Fire Brigade and entertainment for children.
Lucky winners will take home a wireless robotic lawnmower, courtesy of Segway Navimo, alongside various landscaping and agricultural discounts. Camsaw Distributors Portarlington have also offered support to the event.
Five per cent of all sales of robotic lawnmowers on the day will also go to the Jack and Jill Foundation.
Those interested in entering the raffle can check the Jack and Jill Foundation from 1 February.
E.C. Pratt & Co. have long served the people of Laois, having celebrated 50 years in the agricultural and garden business in 2025.
