The Gaelic Players Association is delighted to announce that Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has been selected as our Official Charity Partner for 2023. Players will work with Jack and Jill for the remainder of the year to help raise awareness of the work the foundation does and to help raise much-needed funds.
Jack and Jill is a nationwide charity providing in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of 6 with severe to profound cognitive delay. This may include children with brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy, and undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of 6, irrespective of diagnosis.
The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation offers a child and family centred care service and believes that families should be supported to care for their children in their own homes.
Jack and Jill were chosen at the GPA’s Official Charity Partner following an extensive selection process which began with a public call for submissions.
Speaking to mark the announcement, GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; “The work carried out by Jack and Jill is incredible and to have them on board as our Official Charity Partner is a great honour for the GPA. Players look forward to working closely with the Jack and Jill team and with those children and families they support throughout the year.
“GPA members are in a unique position to make a positive impact on society, not just through their sporting achievements, but also through their influence and ability to inspire others. Supporting charities and social causes is one way that we can use our platform to make a difference and give back to our communities.”
Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation said; “We are delighted to partner with the GPA and all the wonderful players it represents around the country. Community is at the heart of both our organisations, so to have GPA members as community champions of our families and the care we provide to them in their home community will have an enormous benefit in raising both awareness and funds for Jack and Jill both locally and nationally. We are very grateful for the GPA’s €10,000 donation, which will support 555 hours of care for over 400 families supported by Jack and Jill today.
“Just as the GPA supports players not just for their sporting acumen, but as people, we too see the children and family carers we support as people too. People trying to live their best lives, with a little bit of support from our nurses. GPA members are hometown heroes, and having the backing of such influential local figures will no doubt make our families feel more supported.”
Dublin GAA legend John O’Leary, who now sits on the board of Jack and Jill, was also in attendance at the partnership announcement in Croke Park today. John and his wife Catherine have availed of Jack and Jill’s home nursing care support for their youngest child Tom, who is now 12 years of age and was born with a heart condition and a chromosome disorder.
“Jack and Jill really got us out of a black hole in the early years. The support we received from Jack and Jill made all the difference; they were a lifeline to our family, as we navigated the difficult journey of dealing with Tom’s care needs, while also juggling work and family life. Like lots of Jack and Jill families, our family will forever be part of the wider Jack and Jill community and I am very proud to be a board member of the charity. This partnership with the GPA will be hugely beneficial to Jack and Jill and I’m looking forward to joining my fellow GAA players in rallying behind Jack and Jill and supporting local Jack and Jill families in communities across Ireland.”
Following today’s launch, the GPA will make a €10,000 donation to the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, while they will also be given a central place at one of the GPA’s Legend’s Lunches later this year.
