Hugh’s parents get top award

THE parents of a baby who passed away in 2013 aged just eight months were presented with a People of the Year Award this month for providing a place to stay for parents of sick children attending Temple Street and Rotunda Hospitals. 

Located on the corner of Mountjoy Square and Belvedere Place, Ade Stack and Marty Curley established Hugh’s House and it’s been a Godsend for parents outside Dublin visiting sick children being treated in the Northside hospitals.

Before Hugh died, Ade and Marty, his two older brothers Fred (3) and Theo (5) and his godmother Monica Macken, spent time with him every day.

During that period they witnessed the heartache and strain experienced by other families in similar circumstances. And they wanted to do something for them in memory of Hugh.

“We live in Dublin so we were able to visit Hugh every day of his short 247-day life while still being in a position to return home every night,” explained Ade.

“Unfortunately not all parents of sick children can do this.

“We didn’t want him to go and he didn’t want to leave us and clung to life but I accept that his was a natural life of 247 days. We could have walked away and ‘moved on’ with our lives but we can’t forget what we saw and felt. I don’t have to worry about Hugh anymore – he is in God’s care now.”

Ade and Marty donated a six-bedroom house on Belvedere Place after Hugh passed away that now serves as a home-from-home for families whose children are in hospital, with many staying for a few months.

There is no charge for parents to stay at Hugh’s House, which is run entirely on a voluntary basis.

From their own experience, Marty and Ade also realised an outdoor space for the families would be essential too, and with the help of volunteers they transformed the garden of Hugh’s House from a derelict site to an outdoor space that’s full of life.

“We created the wonderful garden at Hugh’s House to help people who find themselves in the same traumatic position as us and could benefit from a space nearby the hospital where they can escape from the hospital environment,” Ade explained.

Volunteers who helped create the garden earlier this year included the Breffni Construction Group, the East Wall Men’s Shed and staff from Aer Lingus.

Ade and Marty were presented with their People of the Year award by Majella and Daniel O’Donnell.