A DONEGAL-based chef put the Covid-19 lockdown to use with a bake sale to raise money for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
Kellyann Brogan (23), from Castlethird, Carrigans, is a chef at the Redcastle Oceanfront Hotel and Spa.
Her apron had been hung up in March with no certainty or clarity as to when she’d be back at work until recently. Kellyann qualified from the LyIT School of Tourism in Killybegs last year with a level 7 degree in culinary arts and a level 8 degree in hospitality and hotel management.
Every year, the Temple Street Foundation holds the much-loved Great Irish Bake campaign, encouraging people around the country to host their own bake sale to raise some much-needed dough for Temple Street.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a traditional bake sale wouldn’t have been allowed.
Kellyann, though, was undeterred.
Instead, she advertised her fundraiser on social media and offered to make batches of cupcakes in exchange for donations to the charity, which were collected from her home, while adhering to social distance regulations.
“These funds are used to help provide essential equipment that will have a real impact for the little heroes of Temple street children’s hospital, Dublin,” Kellyann told Donegal Daily.
Temple Street is a cause close to her heart as her younger brother, Eoin (11), is a regular patient.
Kellyann said: “Eoin has a diagnosis of a rare metabolic condition and therefore requires regular check ups with his designated care team in Temple street who over the past nine years have treated him with amazing care.”
The Great Irish Bake for Temple street event was held on Friday. By then, over 750 cupcakes had been ordered and in the end €1,166 was raised for the charity, which included over €200 in additional online donations.
The Brogan family have thanked all who contributed to this amazing cause, especially Sean McCarron of Macs Mini Mart, St. Johnston who helped by donating some additional baking supplies for the event.
