#UpTheHill2025

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Make every step count by going Up the Hill in support of local Jack and Jill families

Caring for a child with complex medical needs brings lots of challenges every day. Our Jack and Jill families know this all too well.

While we empower families to care for their child with in-home nursing and respite care, you too can help make a difference by going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill and raising funds to help support our vital service.

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out and about and explore the beautiful Irish countryside, so why not make your steps count by registering your next family walk or hike with friends as a Jack and Jill Up the Hill fundraiser.

This can be as big or as small as you want – a Sunday family stroll in the local park or scaling the heights of Carrauntoohil; it up to you!

Register today and take a few simple steps to start making a difference for over 400 families in communities across Ireland.

#UptheHill25 #CommunityMatters #DonateLocal #SupportLocal

Make every step count by going Up the Hill in support of local Jack and Jill families

Caring for a child with complex medical needs brings lots of challenges every day. Our Jack and Jill families know this all too well.

This can be as big or as small as you want – a Sunday family stroll in the local park or scaling the heights of Carrauntoohil; it up to you!

Register today and take a few simple steps to start making a difference for over 400 families in communities across Ireland.

Up the Hill 2024 is kindly supported by Abbott.

#UptheHill24 #CommunityMatters #DonateLocal #SupportLocal #abbottproud

Up the Hill with the Carton Family

Up the Hill for Jack and Jill 2024 with the Carton Family

Sinead Carton and her husband Shane live in Co. Kildare with their two children, Sadhbh and Matthew. In 2010 their second daughter Croíadh was born with a life limiting condition, Patau’s syndrome. Croíadh’s diagnosis meant that she had a number of serious health concerns that required round-the-clock care.

Croíadh lived for seven weeks and one day and was initially cared for in hospital, however because of support from the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation she was able to spend five weeks and one day at home before she passed. This time at home with Croíadh was invaluable for the family.

In the fourteen years since, the Cartons and their extended family have been amazing supporters of Jack and Jill, particularly when it comes to ‘Up the Hill.’ As a family group they have taken on numerous challenges, from Mount Leinster to the Sugarloaf and Killiney Hill, all the time enjoying time together in the outdoors and celebrating their beautiful Croíadh.

Join families like the Cartons in going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill, raising funds to help support families under our care today, just like Croíadh’s wonderful family.

Go #UptheHill and support Jack and Jill Families

Parents supported by Jack and Jill’s services often speak about the ‘gift of time’ that our in-home nursing and respite care gives them. When caring for a child with complex medical needs, you can’t simply call on a grandparent or childminder to look after them. However, knowing that their child is in good hands with Jack and Jill gives parents invaluable time to recharge and take time out from their 24/7 care regime. Our service affords parents a much-needed rest, time to meet a friend for a coffee, spend quality time with other children or do some errands – things some of us take for granted that are simply not feasible for the families under our care.

Meet the Currans

Jamie Curran is almost three and lives in Naas with his mum Oonagh, Dad Oisin and big brother Oscar (5).

When Jamie was born, he was severely anaemic and suffered HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), a type of brain injury. Given the complications of his birth, Jamie has complex needs, including global developmental delay, cortical visual impairment and limited movement. He also has epilepsy, which is thankfully under control currently.

Jamie was referred to Jack and Jill at the age of six months and the Curran family receive 48 hours per month of in-home respite care.

Jamie loves his Jack and Jill Nurse. “He beams the minute she comes in the door,” says Mum Oonagh. “It is just brilliant to know he is in very good hands; I never have to worry when I know he is with her. It gives us the time we need to spend with Oscar or take time for ourselves. Jack and Jill are an invaluable support to us.”

Jamie, Oonagh and Oisin Curran at Up the Hill for Jack and Jill Launch Event

Jack and Jill ambassador Jack Carty and members of the GPA with Grayson Adams

Grayson Adams, age 3, from Beaumont in Dublin, who receives in-home nursing care from Jack and Jill, pictured with, from left, GPA member, LGFA Dublin footballer Sinéad Wylde, Connacht Rugby captain and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation Ambassador, Jack Carty, GPA member, LGFA Meath footballer Vikki Wall and GPA member, Laois hurler Ross King at Stephen’s Green in Dublin for the launch of Up the Hill for Jack and Jill in 2023.

WHAT IS UP THE HILL?

Up the Hill is one of our flagship fundraisers that truly has a community appeal, as groups of friends, families and colleagues get together to go Up the Hill to support local Jack and Jill families.

With over 400 families under our care in communities across Ireland, it’s through the kindness of our wonderful supporters who go that extra mile to raise funds and awareness of our service that keeps us going!

Our service provides in-home nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for children from birth to six years of age who have highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions. Our mission is to empower parents to care for their child at home, because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child.

Celebrating 10 Years of Going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill

From the very first step in Kenmare, Co Kerry in 2014, Up the Hill for Jack and Jill has made strides in every community around the country.

Over the years, rugby and GAA stars, radio DJ’s and many well-known faces, have joined families, corporate partners, neighbours and friends to walk, hike, amble and stroll the length and breadth of the highroads and by-roads of Ireland!

Some supporters have even gone Up the Hill further afield, from the Camino in Spain to Ben Nevis in Scotland, to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; all while raising vital funds for our service.

Whenever, wherever and however you do it, remember that every step counts!

Jack Carty, Connacht Rugby Captain,
going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill

Check out this video featuring Jack and Jill Ambassador and Connacht Rugby Captain, Jack Carty, who spoke at the launch of Up the Hill 2022 in Galway, where he met with mother and daughter Edel and Lilly Parackal, who avail of our service.