When a child becomes seriously ill, parents drop everything. Often one parent gives up work altogether just to be at their child’s bedside, and while money is the last thing on anyone’s mind in that moment, the bills don’t stop coming. Fuel, food, parking, accommodation, childminding for siblings at home — the costs add up quickly, and for some families it becomes genuinely impossible to afford being there for their child in hospital.
This is where Cliona’s Foundation steps in. The Irish charity supports families of seriously ill children by helping with the non-medical, practical costs of care — things like accommodation near the hospital, travel and fuel, food, and childminding for children left at home. It has been a lifeline for families right across Ireland during some of the hardest weeks and months of their lives.
Here, in their own words, families share what that support meant to them.
Cliona’s Foundation Family Stories
Like most parents, this family “didn’t plan for a sick baby.” Their son spent four months in hospital, and it was an expensive stretch for the household, with fuel and food bills mounting. The couple also had a three-year-old at home, “whose life was turned upside down.” Because Dad was self-employed, he wasn’t able to work full time during this period, and the financial relief from Cliona’s Foundation made a real difference.
As the family of four put it: “We’ll just take one day at a time and please God the future is brighter for us. I can tell you this payment means so much. It’s so good to think there is an organisation out there who takes care of families like us.”
“They Keep Coming”
A family from Clare shared how quickly money disappears “between parents’ accommodation, parking and food,” while their baby was “battling hard in the hospital.”
“At the time we didn’t care about bills or anything, but they keep coming no matter what’s going on,” the new mum explained. With her husband unable to work for the seven weeks their baby spent in Crumlin Hospital, the family thanked Cliona’s Foundation for their “kindness,” saying how much the support had helped them through.
“Near Impossible”
This Wexford family reached “breaking point” after their son spent five and a half months in Crumlin Hospital.
“It was bad enough him being so sick, but all the added expenses of just trying to maintain our home too, along with living in Dublin… Even just trying to have money for travelling up and down, and eating, was near impossible,” they explained.
Thanking Cliona’s Foundation, the family described the support as a “godsend.”
How You Can Help Cliona’s Foundation and Families Like These
Cliona’s Foundation relies entirely on donations and fundraising, as it receives no state support. If you’d like to help, you can donate directly or organise a fundraising event on their behalf.
There’s also a lovely way to give while giving your own child something special: The Doll’s Complaints Book, written by 13-year-old Keeva Delaney from Kilkenny. It tells the story of a little girl, Melissa, who’s in hospital while her 13 dolls are left at home in the care of her sister Ann — who isn’t the best babysitter. It’s full of humour, mischief and colourful illustrations, and 100% of the purchase price goes directly to Cliona’s Foundation.
For more information, visit the Cliona’s Foundation website or email them at [info@clionas.ie](mailto:info@clionas.ie).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cliona’s Foundation?
Cliona’s Foundation is an Irish charity that supports families of seriously ill children by helping with the non-medical costs of care during hospital stays and treatment.
What kind of support does Cliona’s Foundation provide?
The foundation helps cover practical costs such as accommodation near the hospital, fuel and travel, food, and childminding for siblings at home — the everyday expenses that build up while parents focus on caring for a sick child.
How many families has Cliona’s Foundation supported?
The foundation has supported a large number of families across Ireland since it began. For the current total, it’s best to check their website directly, as this figure grows over time.
Does Cliona’s Foundation receive government funding?
No. The charity relies entirely on donations and fundraising, and does not receive state support.
How can I support Cliona’s Foundation?
You can donate directly through their website, organise your own fundraising event, or buy a copy of The Doll’s Complaints Book, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Related Articles
- Here’s How You Can Help Seriously Sick Children and Their Families
- Supporting a Family Member Through a Child’s Illness
- Simple Ways to Support a Friend Whose Child Is in Hospital
Save This for Later
If this story moved you, take a moment to save it or share it with someone who might want to support Cliona’s Foundation too. Every donation, big or small, helps a family stay by their child’s bedside without the added stress of unpaid bills.
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