The official launch of the ‘High 5 for Conall’ campaign took place on Monday last organised by the ‘Friends of Conall’.
Family, friends and work colleagues gathered in the Mount Errigal Hotel on February 18th as it marks exactly five months to Conall Shiels’ fifth birthday.
Siobhan McKeague, the chairperson of the committee, outlined the aim of the new campaign.
She said: “We are a group of friends and family who want to help Kieran, Aoife, Cara and Senan by adapting their family home to suit Conall’s needs.
“Conall was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain. He is a 24-hour palliative care child.
“At a routine scan during Aoife’s pregnancy, she and Kieran were told that the prognosis for surviving past birth was poor. For them, this was the most devastating news.
“The good news, however, is that Conall is a fighter and has survived and astounded all who care for him. He is a remarkable and special little boy.
“What a fifth birthday present this would be if we can get the Letterkenny and Donegal communities to help the Shiels’ in their hour of need.”
The ‘Friends of Conall’ want to ease the financial pressure of adapting their home.
They have sought quotes and are looking to provide Conall with bathroom facilities and a fully furnished room to the ‘Laura Lynn’ specification standard, where Conall goes for respite from time to time.
They want to raise €55,555 (all the 5’s for Conall) and carry out and complete work before his fifth birthday.
Alma Kavanagh, a secretary, spoke of the generosity shown so far, she said: “Already €15,859 has been donated. But there have been so many offers from people to fundraise in the coming months, with bunnyhops at Easter, 5ks and sponsored cycles to name but a few, all being organised.
“Ann Touhy (Room Junkie) will host a masterclass that will benefit Conall and she has kindly offered her services to design the room,” she added.
“Forker Blinds are kind-heartedly providing the window dressings, local schools have pledged to host coffee mornings and non-uniform days. Sinead Shiels will seek sponsorship for a haircut and John and Nicola Harran (Little Angels) will host an evening in their house to raise funds for this campaign.
“A special mention must also go to the ‘Letterkenny Babies’ Facebook page. They have already posted a bric-a-brac thread on their page with sales being donated to the fund. And in conjunction with the page, Sweeney Maintenance Services will raffle a five-hour house clean.
“We have also had numerous offers from tradespeople who will paint, plaster, and a very generous pledge from electrician Steven Hassan to provide any electrical work that needs to be done,” Kavanagh said.
“We will explore every avenue for funding, and we must thank Jimmy Kavanagh for pointing us in the right direction as we begin this task.
“From the moment Conall was born we all felt that we wanted to do something, but we held off as Conall’s prognosis was so bleak. Thankfully though, he is here, he is happy, he is our hero and 2019 is going to be his year.”
In addition to raising funds for the adaptation, the TY students in Loreto Convent, as part of the YSI, have formed a group called ‘Friends of Conall – A Voice for All.
They will be lobbying for a nurse to be employed at Little Angels SS, for cross-border respite for children with complex needs and for a change in protocol for families seeking funding for home adaptations.
Conall’s father Kieran thanked everyone for their continued generosity and goodwill: “From the minute Conall was born, Aoife and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity, friendship and goodwill that we have received from our friends and family.
“Conall has proven to be a real fighter and through this fundraising campaign, we will be able to care for him going into the future.
“We appreciate everyone’s donations and offers of help, Conall is such a lucky boy to have friends, family and a community that cares so much.
“I’m sure that if he could he would say a huge thank you himself.”
To donate you can visit the Go Fund Me or if you would like to fundraise or make a direct donation you can contact Siobhan (086 170 2787), Alma (087 695 2551) or any committee member.
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