Welcome to our Abseil Challenge page. We will walk around the roof of Croke Park and abseil from it in memory of our youngest daughter, Mealla and in thanksgiving for our eldest daughter, Síomha.

We are  taking part in this challenge to support the patients, families and staff across Children's Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres, including Crumlin and Temple Steet hospitals.

In January 2021 our youngest daughter, Mealla was transferred to Crumlin hospital when she was nine days old for urgent, emergency surgery on her bowel having developed a life threatening illness called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Over the next few weeks Mealla underwent three surgeries under the expert consultant paediatric surgeon, Sinéad Hassett. The ICU team did an incredible job of stabilising a very ill Mealla over those weeks. Unfortunately, Mealla's little body was devastated by her illness and she passed away in Crumlin on 30th January aged 25 days old. Even in death the medical and nursing staff of Crumlin guided and supported us. Crumlin and its staff will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

In July 2021 our other daughter, Síomha, aged two years, found herself on a ventilator in Temple Street's paediatric ICU. Thankfully, she bounced back as quickly as she became sick. Again, we witnessed first hand the essential, life-saving work that our children's hospitals do. 

Fundraising such as this provides CHI hospitals with the best facilities, services and equipment. When Mealla was at her most ill we availed of the privacy and space offered by the Butterfly Room which is available because of fundraising efforts such as this. 

Join us in supporting this essential, urgent and life-saving work and make a real and lasting difference in the lives of sick children.

Please donate what you can to help give every sick child every chance, to create a child-centred, home-from-home environment for patients in hospital and for ensure that children continue to have access to the very best facilities, services and equipment when they need it most. This is the power of your support.