Children's charity launches Christmas 2025 appeal

“They’re not just a charity; they are like family. Our nurses know Ryan so well, from the music he loves to how he likes the wind on his face.”

The stirring words of Cork mum Vicky Daly whose son Ryan is one of 56 children in Cork supported by the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Ryan was born four weeks early in December 2023 with severe brain bleeds and other complex medical challenges. He spent more than three months in hospital before finally coming home to his parents and two older brothers and has ongoing, intensive care needs.

“Jack and Jill have been there for us through thick and thin, even before Ryan came home,” said Vicky.

“Because of them, we can do things most families take for granted, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

“We’d be lost without them,” she added.

This week, the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation launched its 2025 Christmas appeal, It Takes a Village, with a goal to raise €650,000.

Funds raised will help provide vital in-home nursing and respite support hours for more than 450 families across Cork and Ireland over Christmas who are caring for children up to the age of seven who have a severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

The charity is calling on people across Cork to help by making a donation to give parent carers the gift of much-needed respite from their often 24/7 care regime.

It will take €650,000 to fund all of the charity’s family care hours across November and December, explained Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation CEO Deirdre Walsh.

She explained: “Behind every beautiful child we support stands a village of care, and this Christmas, we’re asking everyone to be part of our village, helping to keep our families together at home, where they belong, making memories and ensuring siblings enjoy the Christmas they deserve.”

A new survey carried out among Jack and Jill families in October 2025 revealed the immense difference the charity’s support makes during the festive season.

It found that 90% of families describe the service as being essential (47%) or very important (43%) at Christmas, while 92% say they would be unable to leave their child in the care of a friend or relative due to their child’s complex needs.

Regarding Jack and Jill’s in-home nursing care and respite support, 94% of families described it as being life-changing (57%) or extremely positive (37%) in the run up to Christmas.

Furthermore, without Jack and Jill’s support, families say they would miss out on time to rest and recharge (23%), do the Christmas shopping (21%), go to social events with colleagues, family, or friends (20%) or enjoy quality family time together (17%).

Almost 1 in 5 (17%) said other siblings would miss out on Christmas traditions or outings without Jack and Jill’s support.

Ms Walsh continued: “These figures really show the hidden reality of Christmas for families caring for a child with complex needs at home.

“While most of us are busy wrapping gifts or planning festive outings, many Jack and Jill parents are juggling difficult medication schedules, equipment at home, frequent hospital or medical appointments, and often while having sleepless nights and whilst trying to work,” the CEO concluded.

Those wishing to support Jack and Jill families this Christmas can do so by purchasing gifts from the charity’s online Christmas collection, by shopping at the Jack and Jill Charity Boutique in Youghal, by organising a festive fundraiser, or simply by donating, all of which can be accessed via jackandjill.ie.

Every €18 raised helps fund one hour of vital in-home nursing and respite care for a Jack and Jill family.