Connacht Rugby players swapped their rugby boots for hiking gear when they lined out to support the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation this week.
Led by Jack and Jill ambassador Jack Carty, who has also been named Connacht Rugby captain this season, he was joined by players Gavin Thornbury and Tom Farrell in support of the charity’s vital work.
Up the Hill for Jack and Jill is the foundation’s annual flagship fundraising challenge that takes place throughout the month of October, and this year it is urging people to pick a local hill, make a date, grab some friends, raise some funds, and go.
Yesterday the rugby players met Lilly Parackal (age 3 ) and her siblings Jacob and Tess. Lilly, who has chromosome 2 imbalance causing developmental delay, heart and lung problems needs to be tube-fed. Together the group kick-started the 2022 campaign for the foundation which this year celebrates 25 years.
At present Jack and Jill is providing specialist in-home nursing care and respite support to 412 children with complex medical conditions up to the age of six years – its highest-ever number.
The foundation says every day can be an uphill challenge for Jack and Jill families and, with Jack and Jill dependent hugely on public generosity to fund its services, Up the Hill for Jack and Jill is a way for everyone to show Jack and Jill families their solidarity and that they care.
For more information on the work of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, visit www.jackandjill.ie
