Baby Max remembered by fund to help other children

A LITTLE baby’s short life will be long remembered thanks to TV3, who are helping his parents buy vital medical equipment for treating children in hospitals.

Yesterday Minister for Health and Children Micheál Martin and TV3 news presenter Claire Byrne launched the TV3 Baby Max Wings of Love Fund at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin.

The fund was initially set up by Darina Ní Chuinneagáin and Declan Donnelly following the tragic death nearly three years ago of their son Max to Meningitis B and meningoccoccal septicaemia.

Their first goal was the purchase of a “life or death” haemo-filtration machine for Temple Street, accomplished through sheer hard work, dedication and the support of many people.

Through its association with TV3 the charity’s long-term goal is to build awareness of the charity and raise funds for the purchase of essential equipment for the children’s hospitals in Dublin and paediatric wards around Ireland.

Mr Martin said he had great admiration for Baby Max’s parents. “They have had the strength and courage to rise above their personal tragedy and great loss in their efforts to help others,” he said.

Baby Max’s parents said it gave them some solace knowing that their son was helping other children.

“If at all possible, we want to ensure that other parents will not have to go through the same pain that we suffer since our son’s tragic death,” they said.

TV3 launched its national on-air campaign with the first of a series of spot broadcasts at lunchtime yesterday. It will advise viewers how they can make donations to the charity.

“By reaching out to the public we hope to ensure that this special relationship will go a long way to making a difference to the well-being of Irish children and, most importantly, that Baby Max in his short life will have made a difference to so many,” said chief executive, Rick Hetherington.

People wishing to donate can do so through AIB and the TV3 Baby Max Wings of Love Fund. Alternatively they can text MAX to 57802. Texts costs €2 and all proceeds go to the charity.