‘Our beautiful boy was gone forever’
On 18 January 2009, Maeve and Oliver Blackwell put their 14 month old son, David, to bed as normal. The following morning, little David never woke up.
While medical advancements have significantly reduced infant mortality rates in Ireland, hundreds of families every year still face the devastating loss of a child.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Irish charity FirstLight which offers free professional counselling to bereaved parents. Having been put in touch with the charity following the loss of his son, Oliver Blackwell is now the charity’s Chairperson.
“David was a perfectly healthy, blond, curly-haired little boy — full of fun, curiosity, and mischief,” said Oliver.
“He loved the swans at The Lough, his blue Teddy, Liga, music, and his dragon hat.
“We put him to bed as normal, and on the morning of 19 January 2009, David never woke up. Our beautiful boy was gone, forever.”
Today, 17 years after David’s death, Oliver said he still finds it very difficult to give people advice on how to cope with the loss of a child.
He said: “Grief is deeply personal and unique to every individual. What I’ve learned is that listening is essential.
“From our own experience, we found comfort in speaking with others who had been through the same loss. Talking about David, his life, his existence, and the joy he brought to us remains a great source of comfort.”
Professional support
Following their loss, Oliver and Maeve’s world fell apart, leaving them completely lost and unsure of where to turn. It was during this time that they were put in touch with FirstLight, formally known as the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA).
“In what was an unbearably dark and bleak time, FirstLight showed us a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Oliver.
As time went on, Maeve and Oliver we wanted to give something back. They organised fundraisers and became actively.
Oliver said: “Having lost David, we are deeply aware of the far reaching impact of child loss, and we were determined to help as many parents and families as possible.”
New data
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of families seeking bereavement support in Ireland. In 2025 alone, FirstLight received 293 referrals, representing a 26% increase on the previous year.
The increase reflects several important and positive changes, explained Oliver, including the expansion of FirstLight’s remit to support families following the death of a child for any reason up to the age of 18.
A “cultural shift” in Ireland in how Irish people seek help in a crisis is also at play, explained Oliver.
He said: “While child loss is something no one ever expects or wants to experience, when families find themselves in such despairing circumstances, they are increasingly willing to reach out for support.”
For 50 years, FirstLight has stood alongside parents and families at some of the most devastating moments of their lives. Continuing this great work requires investment in nationwide, specialist services delivered without waiting lists, said Oliver.
“What sets FirstLight apart is not just what we do, but how we do it. Our work is grounded in empathy, lived experience and a deep respect for the individuality of each family’s grief. Every loss is personal, and every family’s experience deserves to be honoured,” said Oliver.
Half century milestone
On 27 November 1975, FirstLight founder Eimear Berry put her 14 week old son Brendan down for a nap. When she returned just one hour later, he had died. Determined to ensure no family would face such loss alone, she set out to raise awareness and to create a network of support.
Oliver said: “Our 50th anniversary is not only about looking back — it is about looking forward. It is about ensuring that FirstLight is strong, resilient, and sustainable.
“Fifty years on, our purpose is as strong as ever. We honour the past with pride, remember our beloved children with love, serve the present with dedication, and face the future with hope and optimism.”
Throughout this milestone year, FirstLight is hosting a number of events. There are many ways the public can get involved and the charity’s doors are always open to volunteers and pro bono professional expertise.
Donations, corporate sponsorships, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships are also vital in helping FirstLight sustain and expand its services. Legacy or will donations are another deeply meaningful way to contribute to the charity.
Any individual or organisation who feels they can help can contact info@firstlight.ie or visit firstlight.ie.
If you have been impacted by the death of a child and would like to talk to someone, contact FirstLight at info@firstlight.ie.