Children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children has recruited a Connacht-based regional fundraiser to join their team.
From September Mary McHugh Murphy, who is from Claremorris and now lives with her family in Fountainhill, Kilmaine will take on the role of Connacht Regional Fundraiser for the charity.
She will support the local community, schools and businesses, helping them to raise funds for Daisy Lodge, a new therapeutic short break centre for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Cancer Fund for Children have planning permission for the therapeutic centre which is to be built on the shores of Lough Corrib, near the village of Cong.
Mary began volunteering for Cancer Fund for Children a number of years ago after coming across a sign advertising the Daisy Lodge project whilst out walking. Her first fundraising event for the charity was a 5km walk in her high heels. Mary is excited to start her new role which will help Cancer Fund for Children in its mission to ensure that no child across Ireland has to face cancer alone.
She said: "I am looking forward to reaching out to, meeting and engaging with schools, businesses, sports organisations and the general public to help build the awareness of Cancer Fund for Children and to share their mission throughout the West of Ireland.
"I am also excited to raise funds by supporting and organising events and continuing to work with all the sensational volunteers from Cong and the surrounding area. Hopefully, I can recruit some new ones to support this fantastic charity."
Speaking about why she was motivated to support Cancer Fund for Children Mary said: "The reality is that there is a huge need for another therapeutic short break centre in Ireland. Currently Cancer Fund for Children can only provide one in seven families from across the island of Ireland with a short break. At any one time there can be a waiting list of over 50 families wanting to come to Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down for support. A second Daisy Lodge will enable the charity to increase the number of children and parents they help each year from 1,800 to 4,000."
Mary added: "Cancer knocks on the door of many families, unannounced. It is a challenging time, but especially for diagnosed children which is why I am so passionate about raising funds to help build Daisy Lodge. Having this therapeutic space in the West will help the whole family cope better with the emotional impact of cancer and allow them to simply be a family again."
If you to find out more about Cancer Fund for Children and how you can get involved in raising funds for Daisy Lodge, please contact Mary e: [email protected].
