"We can never repay the people in the hospital for being there when we needed them most, but we can try give back as much as we can. We’re so grateful.”
Niamh's son Freddie was diagnosed with a heart condition two days after he was born.
An emergency trip to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin from Kilkenny revealed he had hypoplastic right heart syndrome.
Freddie faced his first open heart surgery when he was just 10 days old and a second one at 6 months old.
Two years later Freddie faced a third surgery and afterwards suffered a seizure.
Luckily, the staff in Crumlin reacted quickly and Freddie was OK, and a week later the physio was helping him to walk!
The hospital also provided great support to Freddie's family by putting them in contact with the hospital psychologist.
The psychologist taught Niamh how to explain to Freddie why she had to leave him in the hospital, and explain to her eldest son, Harry, why she wasn’t there.
Niamh says the psychologist was a God send in a time that was difficult for them all.
Freddie spent the build up to Christmas in the hospital but the staff did everything they could to make it special.
Santa came to visit them, along with Robbie Keane and Johnny Sexton, two heroes of the boys.
"I honestly think Freddie forgot that he was sick when he got to shake hands with Robbie and Johnny."
Then, after an emotional rollercoaster journey, Freddie's family left the hospital on Christmas Eve and they went home together.
Freddie started school in September and is the happiest little man.
Niamh wants other parents to know that Crumlin will do the very best for your child.
"I'll be forever grateful for the hospital and I try to fundraise for them when I can. We’ve done two mini marathons for Crumlin since Freddie was born and raised over €4,000. Last year Freddie brought up loads of Christmas presents for the children on the ward. He wanted them to feel as special as he did when he was in hospital over Christmas. He’s so thoughtful and considerate, for such a young child. Our family and friends got us through this tough journey and we couldn’t be more grateful to them and to the hospital for being there for us and our precious boy. We can never repay the people in the hospital for being there when we needed them most, but we can try give back as much as we can. We’re so grateful.”
By simply spending your One4all Gift Cards this July, you can help brighten the days of children like Freddie at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
Give the gift of a much-needed smile, or even a giggle with your One4all Gift Cards.
One4all, Ireland’s leading gift card company, is thrilled to announce the return of the annual Shop4Crumlin charity campaign for the 5th year!
Taking place from Saturday July 6th to Sunday July 14th, 2019, the campaign will raise money for the CMRF Giggle Fund.
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How does it work?
Simply get spending your gift card in any of One4all's retailers and they will donate 50c to charity.
And if you treat yourself in Argos, Arnotts, Debenhams, Lifestyle Sports or Littlewoods, they'll donate an extra 50c to the cause for a total donation of €1.
What does the Giggle Fund do?
The Giggle Fund is dedicated to spreading giggles and smiles to the little patients at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
365 children attend Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital from all across Ireland every day.
Your donation will help put a smile on their faces with pizza nights, pyjama parties and new toys.
These simple moments help them forget their ill and be a child again.
The Shop4Crumlin campaign has helped One4all to raise over €100,000 for sick children across the country so far.
So root out your One4all cards and get shopping between July 6th and July 14th for a great cause.
Further information on Shop4Crumlin can be found here.
