Family Carers Ireland has launched its national fundraising campaign, Heart of Gold, which aims to raise vital funds to provide essential support and services to family carers throughout the Midlands region and the country.
This year Heart of Gold is proudly supported by Horizon and to mark the occasion, Ireland and Leinster rugby player Ryan Baird and family carer Lynsey O’Donovan and her son Jack attended the national launch event at Horizon Therapeutics plc, to show their support for the campaign.
Heart of Gold is a special fundraising initiative scheduled for June 16 and 17, coinciding with Carers Week. The purpose of this campaign is to not only to raise funds for Family Carers Ireland’s critical programs and services, but to also raise awareness about the challenges faced by family carers like Lynsey and the O’Donovan family.
Supported by Horizon, the campaign encourages the public to support family carers by purchasing a Heart of Gold Pin from volunteers, hosting a coffee morning, signing up for the 50 miles in June Challenge, or simply donate on the Family Carers Ireland website www.familycarers.ie
The funds raised will be utilised to sustain the provision of essential services that family carers rely on to care for their loved ones safely. These services include the National Freephone Careline, counselling, respite, and local drop-in centres all of which are an invaluable lifeline for family carers. In addition, Family Carers Ireland facilitate peer support groups, social events, training, and carers’ forums to help reduce carer isolation.
“The Heart of Gold campaign is vital in enabling us to provide the support and services that family carers need to care safely for their loved ones. We are particularly grateful for the support of Ryan, Lynsey and Jack in helping us to raise awareness of the challenges that family carers face and the crucial role they play in our society.
“Caring for a loved one can be rewarding but it can also be difficult, frightening and isolating. It shouldn’t be. We want family carers to know they are not alone, and they have the support they need to care safely. Through our free supports and services, we work tirelessly to empower family carers to maintain a healthy and sustainable caring routine. That is why Family Carers Ireland exists and why our Heart of Gold campaign is vital. We urgently need to raise funds to ensure that we can continue to support over 100,000 families through direct services, respite, advice, crisis support, digital resources, and social media community support,” speaking at the launch, Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy with Family Carers Ireland, said.
For more information about Family Carers Ireland and the Heart of Gold campaign, visit www.familycarers.ie
