Baby Muireann inspires nationwide outdoor dip-a-day swimming challenge to raise funds for Jack and Jill
Padraig Conlon 27 Mar 2023
As the season changes and outdoor pools and swimming groups continue to grow in popularity across the country, the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is calling on swimming enthusiasts to support families of children with highly complex medical needs by hosting an outdoor swim this April as part of its Dip-A-Day fundraising challenge.
Mum Helen Reddy, from Dublin, is spearheading the swimming challenge in memory of her precious daughter Muireann, who sadly passed away at just four weeks of age 23 years ago.
Helen said: “It was a very daunting prospect to bring a terminally ill baby home from a hospital without knowing how much time we had.
“When the time came, I was able to hold her in my arms in the comfort of our own home and we all said goodbye.
“I can’t even imagine what it would have been like had she been in hospital. We are so glad to have had help and support from Jack and Jill.”
Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is a nationwide charity that funds and provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound cognitive delay, up to the age of six.
The charity currently supports over 400 families in each of the 26 counties, including 92 in Dublin.
This may include children with brain injury, cerebral palsy, a genetic diagnosis or other undiagnosed conditions.
Another key part of the service is end-of-life care at home for all children up to the age of six who require it, irrespective of diagnosis.
Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, who will be taking a dip herself during a sunrise 7am swim at Portmarnock beach, Dublin on April 1st said: “No, this is not an April Fool’s joke, as some of my family and friends seem to think!
“Launching this Dip-A-Day for Jack and Jill is way out of my comfort zone, as someone who rarely swims in the sea, preferring instead a heated swimming pool.
“I’ll need plenty of resolve and hot chocolate to complete this personal challenge and my dip may be brief, but I’m determined to do it.
“I’m so proud to join Helen Reddy who has raised so much awareness and funds for Jack and Jill over the years, in memory of her beautiful daughter Muireann.
“Helen and her friends in Portmarnock have a great community spirit through their daily sea swimming and support of each other.
“Every donation counts by supporting home nursing care hours for over 400 children right across the country at a time when demand for Jack and Jill’s vital service is higher than ever.
“I’m off now to take a cold shower, because this will be a shocker!”
Swimmers looking to take part in Dip-A-Day for Jack and Jill can host their own event, take part on an individual basis or join in with the following planned Dublin events:
- 7am, Saturday April 1st, The Shelters Portmarnock
- 11am, Sunday April 2nd, The Shelters, Portmarnock
- 12pm noon, Monday 9th April, The Sea Sauna, Portrane
- 4pm, Sunday 30th April, The Shelters, Portmarnock
Outdoor swimming has a raft of physical and mental benefits, including a boosted immune system, enhanced fitness, improved skin tone, and regular outdoor swimmers report an increased sense of wellbeing.
Swimming groups and individuals can register for the challenge on the Jack and Jill website, and all fundraisers will receive a very fetching Jack and Jill branded swimming hat!
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