Generous readers donate funds to JJ

GENEROUS private citizens have donated hundreds of euro to the family of JJ Ryan and the Jack and Jill Foundation after the 4-year-old’s battle with the HSE was revealed yesterday by the Irish Examiner.

JJ, from Scallagheen in Co Tipperary, was born prematurely at 25 weeks with a hole in his heart and serious lung problems.

During birth, JJ had a brain bleed, meaning he now suffers from profound deafness, an inability to speak and quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

However, despite the clear need to provide help for JJ and his family — who have two other young children and admit they are struggling to cope — since September, the HSE has refused to replace a mere eight-and-a-half hours of home care a week.

Until recently the service — which costs less than €300 a week — was provided by the Jack and Jill Foundation, which cares for seriously ill children.

However, as JJ is over the age of 4, the HSE and not the charity are now responsible for this care.

After reading about the lengthy stand-off in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, a number of people contacted the charity offering donations up to hundreds of euro to help ensure JJ receives the care he deserves.

One individual, described as someone facing her own economic problems, generously donated in the region of €200 to the family through the charity, while others have pledged to support the wider Jack and Jill Foundation service.

A spokesperson for the group said money donated to help JJ will be channelled towards his continuing care, while any other funds will be used to support services for similarly vulnerable children.

The charity currently cares for 266 seriously ill children under 4, and has supported 1,450 since it was established in 1997.

Those seeking to donate can do so either by contacting the Jack and Jill Foundation on www.jackandjill.ie or by texting the name of a county whose paediatric care services they wish to improve, to 57034.

This message will send €5 to the charity — €4.95 of which will go directly to families.

Old mobile phones can also be donated to further help the funds of the charity, whose budget is 81% dependent on private fundraising.

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