Working Life: We do a potluck-style lunch at Jack and Jill HQ

Alie Sheridan, head of fundraising, Jack and Jill Foundation

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024 - 02:00

6.30am

I’m up in time for a run, as I’m back training for a 5k run during the summer. I’m lucky where I live – Sallins, Co Kildare - there are beautiful scenic routes to choose from and lots of people out and about early.

8.30am

I give my mam a call for a chat on my commute to the office. I try to get in early and scan emails to plan for any meetings or calls scheduled for that day.

9.30am

I check in with our fundraising executives, Michaela Foley and Danielle Ryan. We have lots of events and campaigns and community fundraisers going on, so it’s important to touch base regularly.

10.30am

We have a meeting with the team behind Incognito, an art sale to raise funds for the Foundation. The concept behind it is that members of the public buy a piece of art without knowing the identity of the artist until after the sale takes place. Now in its eighth year, it’s become Ireland’s biggest online art sale. All the artworks are postcard size and each costs €65. The collection went live on April 4.

12pm

I check in with our corporate team Michaella McMahon and Tina Priestly. We rely heavily on corporate funding, so maintaining good relationships with [our corporate donors] is a priority. We keep them informed of progress in Jack and Jill services, such as reaching the milestone of providing services to 3,000 families since 1997.

1pm

We do a potluck-style lunch at Jack and Jill HQ, with people bringing in bits and pieces to share and eat together. It continues the family culture our late founder, Jonathan Irwin, created from day one.

2pm

I have a call with the head of communications Clodagh Hogan about streamlining support around all fundraising initiatives and also to plan for this year’s annual report.

5.30pm

I call my sister on the way home to check in on how my niece Sadie (seven) and nephew Darragh (four) are. They have a hectic social calendar. Then if I’m not out training with the local GAA 4 Mothers & Others group — #NaughtybutNaas — I’ll get out for a walk in the evening before cooking dinner and catching up with whatever reality drama is trending.