'We’d be lost without them' Kildare charity, Jack and Jill, launches 2025 Christmas Appeal

Kildare charity Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has launched its 2025 Christmas Appeal 'It Takes a Village' with a goal to raise €650,000. This will fund vital in-home nursing and respite support hours for over 450 families across Ireland over the Christmas period who are caring for children up to the age of seven who have a severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

As families across the country excitedly prepare for Christmas, Jack and Jill is calling on people across Kildare to help light up Jack and Jill homes with care by making a donation to help give parent carers the gift of much-needed respite from their often 24/7 care regime.

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“It will take €650,000 to fund all of our family care hours across November and December,” said Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. “With only 21.5% of our funding coming from the Government, we rely on the kindness and generosity of the public to help keep our service going. 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. We currently support 35 families in Kildare and since the Charity was founded in 1997 we have supported 189 families across the county”

New Survey Highlights the Hidden Reality of Christmas for Jack and Jill Families

A new survey carried out among current Jack and Jill families in October 2025 reveals the immense difference this support makes during the festive season:

• 90% of families describe the service as being essential (47%) or very important (43%) at Christmas.
• 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.
• 94% of families describe Jack and Jill’s in-home nursing care and respite support as being life-changing (57%) or extremely positive (37%) for their family in the run up to Christmas.
• 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.

“These figures really show the hidden reality of Christmas for families caring for a child with complex needs at home,” continued Ms Walsh. “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.  They are also trying to ensure other siblings get to enjoy the ‘normal’ festive activities many of us take for granted. The gift of care hours means these families can catch their breath, make memories together, and experience the joy of Christmas.”

The Daly Family Story: “We’d Be Lost Without Jack and Jill”

For the Daly family from Co. Cork, Jack and Jill has been a lifeline since the birth of their son Ryan in December 2023. Born four weeks early with severe brain bleeds and other complex medical challenges, Ryan 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,” says his mum, Vicky Daly. “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.

"Because of them, we can do things most families take for granted, especially in the run-up to Christmas like go shopping, rest, or spend time with our other boys. The support they give us is invaluable. We’d be lost without them.”

This year’s campaign, It Takes a Village, celebrates and calls on the community that surrounds every Jack and Jill family, from nurses and fundraisers to donors, neighbours and friends.  Each donation will help fund in-home nursing and respite care hours and will light up a virtual festive village on the charity’s website, with every glowing window representing families supported, homes warmed with care and parents reassured they are not alone.

Those wishing to support Jack and Jill families this Christmas can do so by purchasing gifts from the charity’s online Christmas Gift Collection, by shopping  the Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques in Newbridge and Crookstown by organising a festive fundraiser or simply by making a donation, all of which can be accessed via www.jackandjill.ie.

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