Dubliners are being asked to do the ironing, walk the dog or climb a hill to help children with special needs.
Up the Hill is a fundraiser by the Jack and Jill Foundation who are hoping to raise €200,000 which will go towards funding 12,500 nursing hours for 300 children in their own homes.
Picture: www.jackandjill.ie
Tina Priestley’s son Bobby was born with complex needs that affected his brain development, sight and hearing. He also had hydrocephalus which is fluid on the brain.
He spent three weeks in intensive care at the National Maternity Hospital before being allowed to go home with his parents.
A nurse pointed them in the direction of the Jack and Jill Foundation and within two days of making contact, the family had a nurse assigned to them and respite hours.
The foundation also provided 24 hour care in the weeks before Bobby passed away in 2009, aged 13 months.
Tina says the foundation gave them more than just nursing care:
"They also gave us an insight into the world of dealing with a child with complex needs. In terms of the other backup things that are available, for example taxation, getting equipment and the psychological back-up of knowing that there's somebody to hold your hand through this".
"They were fantastic, they lead us in the right direction for all things. I had been working for over 23 years with a company and unfortunately I had to give up my job to become Bobby's full time carer. But like that, Jack and Jill were giving us advice on where to go and what tax forms to fill. It was a combination of nursing care and emotional support for the whole family".
"As we got into a rhythm with Bobby and things progressed, we would occasionally use the time to be able to go out as a family together with our other three children and go and see a rugby match or go swimming or the school play. It just helped us normalise the situation as best as we could in the knowledge that Bobby was safe at home with a Jack and Jill nurse".
It costs €16 to register for Up the Hill but that fee funds one hour of nursing care for a child.
Nurse liason Sandra Nolan says those hours are invaluable for families:
"If eight people registered for Up the Hill for Jack and Jill, that's a nights sleep for a family. We have families where that is what we provide for them, a nights sleep a week. And that allows them to function".
"They know that one night a week, they're going to get a night's sleep. And so the rest of the week they can get by on various amounts of sleep. That is an amazing gift to give to give to any family and we really appreciate it and more importantly, our families really, really appreciate it".
Founder Jonathan Irwin says people taking part don’t necessarily have to climb a hill or mountain:
"You have to decide what you want to do yourself, what would involve your friends, your relations. It could be getting together with your dogs and going for a walk. It could be cycling up a local hill. It could be cleaning out your attic."
For more information on Up the Hill, go to www.jackandjill.ie
