Laois boy launches Barretstown national Christmas appeal

A LITTLE Mountmellick boy was involved in launching this year’s Barretstown Children’s Charity national Christmas appeal for vital funds to help ‘Sprinkle Some Magic’ for children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses this Christmas.

As part of this year’s appeal, the charity has once again teamed up with Flahavan’s to produce ‘Magical Reindeer Food’ which is available to purchase for €2 in Applegreen and Dealz stores around Laois and nationwide, with 100% of the proceeds of each packet going directly to the charity.

At the official launch of the charity’s Christmas appeal Barretstown Ambassador and world-renowned mentalist Keith Barry was joined by Barretstown camper Mountmellick brothers Eoin, Cathail, John and Patrick Holohan.

Seven-year-old Cathail, at just the age of four, endured over three years of chemotherapy for treatment of leukaemia. 

He along with his family spent time at family camps in Barretstown where they received 24/7 onsite medical care as well as being involved in therapeutic programmes, tending to both their physical and psychosocial needs. The time they spent at Barretstown family camps allowed the family to take respite, enjoy fun activities all the while being looked after and taken care of.

Barretstown is the largest and most established provider in Ireland of therapeutic camps and programmes, which provides for the unmet psychosocial needs of children and teenagers impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the charity has served over 125,000 campers to date and is projected to support over 250,000 seriously ill children and families by the end of the decade.

All services provided to children and their families at Barretstown are free of charge, with only 4% of funding provided by the government with the remainder supported by donations and the fundraising efforts of corporate supporters, individuals, and community groups.

CEO of Barretstown Dee Ahearn said: “At Barretstown our mission is to rebuild the lives of children and families who have been affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, and we have proudly served over 125,000 campers in the last 30 years. The 'Sprinkle Some Magic' campaign is a vital part in this, in allowing us to raise funds and further develop our services.

“Together, we can bring some magic back into Christmas for families who are experiencing the stark reality of childhood cancer and other serious illnesses. Please support Barretstown and pop into your local Applegreen or Dealz store to help sprinkle the magic this Christmas.” 

There are many ways the public can support Barretstown this Christmas. To learn more about the ‘Sprinkle Some Magic’ campaign, visit www.barretstown.org/christmas