Donal Skehan launches the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children 2023

TV host, and Great Irish Bake for Sick Children ambassador, Donal Skehan was joined by young baker and Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street patient Saoibh Lonergan to officially launch the sweetest campaign of the year – the Great Irish Bake.

You may remember Saoibh from the 2022 Late Late Toy Show, when she won the hearts of the nation by singing her own song, ‘Raining Rainbows’ live on the TV show.

Children’s Health Foundation is delighted to have Donal Skehan’s support as Great Irish Bake ambassador once again this year.

With his help and the support of kind bakers across the nation, the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children raised a phenomenal €220,000 last year to fund vital and life-saving paediatric equipment.

Saoibh, Donal and Children’s Health Foundation are asking individuals, families, communities, creches, schools and companies to host their own Great Irish Bake event on or around Friday, 31st March and raise vital funds to support sick children and their families in CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.

You can host family bake offs, street/workplace bake offs, afternoon tea, bake sales, cupcake decorating competitions the possibilities are endless… Funds raised will help to provide cutting-edge technology, extraordinary care, transformative treatments and so much more for our special hospitals.

So, spin that rolling pin and dust off those aprons – by taking part in this year’s Great Irish Bake you will be doing something really sweet for sick children when they need it most.

Whether you go all out with your macarons and souffles or simply whip up a few fairy cakes to enjoy with pals, every single event held this year will make a real difference to families going through the most challenging of times.

Commenting on this year’s Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, Hugh Kane, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Donal and Saoibh on board for this year’s Great Irish Bake and hope that our amazing bakers from all over the country will join us once again for this event. It’s a great way to catch up with friends, family and colleagues while knowing that you are doing something really special for sick children.

“When you have a sick child in hospital, it is so important to know that they are getting the world-class treatment they deserve. Here in Children’s Health Foundation we are committed to supporting the expert care that the frontline teams in CHI give to sick children and their families every single moment of every single day. Your continued support makes this vital work possible.”

“Your support will ensure that they continue to have access to the very best specialist, cutting-edge equipment and technology that help bring extraordinary care and transformative treatments in CHI’s wards, theatres, departments and ICU. Our huge appreciation to Donal, Saoibh and to our wonderful friends in Gem, who are supporting us once again in 2023.”

Great Irish Bake Ambassador Donal Skehan said, “It is so much fun to get together, enjoy a scone and a cup of tea and know that your tasty treats are going to help sick children when they need it the very most. It’s so easy to take part and even better to know that you are having a phenomenal impact on the lives of so many kids from across Ireland.”

Bobby?Mulligan, Managing Director of Gem commented; “Gem is delighted to return as the sponsor of the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children for 2023 and are thrilled to support Crumlin, Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght once again this year. Having been involved in this event for a number of years now, we know the difference this campaign makes to the 300,000 sick children that pass through the doors of CHI’s Hospitals each year by funding life-saving equipment, cutting-edge technology, and so much more with the generous donations from participants up and down the country. Challenge your families, friends, sports teams, colleagues, and communities to whip up something delicious, host a bake sale and donate to this amazing cause!”

To register today and receive your own baking pack, simply visit?www.childrenshealth.ie/greatirishbake.

Don’t forget to get in touch on social media too to share your own bakes, recipes and kitchen tips. Simply include the hashtag #GreatIrishBake