Kildare communities encouraged to host baking event to raise money for sick Irish children

Families and communities across Ireland, including those in County Kildare, are asked to host a Great Irish Bake event to raise money for sick children. 

Award-wining food writer and Great Irish Bake for Sick Children ambassador, Donal Skehan, officially launched the campaign alongside Temple Street patient Saoibh Lonergan, who won the hearts of the nation during the Late Late Toy Show in 2022 when she sang her own song 'Raining Rainbows'. 

People are asked to host their events - which can include bake offs, street/workplace bake offs, afternoon tea, bake sales, cupcake decorating competitions and more - on or around Friday March 31. 

Last year's initiative raised a phenomenal €220,000 to fund vital and life-saving paediatric equipment. 

Commenting on this year’s Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, the Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation, Hugh Kane, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Donal and Saoibh on board for this year’s Great Irish Bake and hope that our amazing bakers from all over the country will join us once again for this event. It’s a great way to catch up with friends, family and colleagues while knowing that you are doing something really special for sick children.

"When you have a sick child in hospital, it is so important to know that they are getting the world-class treatment they deserve. Here in Children’s Health Foundation we are committed to supporting the expert care that the frontline teams in CHI give to sick children and their families every single moment of every single day. Your continued support makes this vital work possible." 
  
He added: "Your support will ensure that they continue to have access to the very best specialist, cutting-edge equipment and technology that help bring extraordinary care and transformative treatments in CHI’s wards, theatres, departments and ICU. Our huge appreciation to Donal, Saoibh and to our wonderful friends in Gem, who are supporting us once again in 2023.”  

Donal Skehan also commented and said, "It is so much fun to get together, enjoy a scone and a cup of tea and know that your tasty treats are going to help sick children when they need it the very most. It’s so easy to take part and even better to know that you are having a phenomenal impact on the lives of so many kids from across Ireland.”  

Managing Director of Gem, Bobby Mulligan, commented, "Gem is delighted to return as the sponsor of the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children for 2023 and are thrilled to support Crumlin, Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght once again this year.

"Having been involved in this event for a number of years now, we know the difference this campaign makes to the 300,000 sick children that pass through the doors of CHI’s Hospitals each year by funding life-saving equipment, cutting-edge technology, and so much more with the generous donations from participants up and down the country.

"Challenge your families, friends, sports teams, colleagues, and communities to whip up something delicious, host a bake sale and donate to this amazing cause!”  
  
To register today and receive your own baking pack, simply click here.