Children's charity makes Hobbs its patron

Financial guru Eddie Hobbs was today appointed patron of a charity aiding children with severe development problems.

Mr Hobbs said he was privileged to accept the invitation from the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which works to aid the families of babies with severe developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy, which can require 24-hour care.

The consultant urged people to support the charity’s new campaign, calling upon anyone with old and unwanted mobile phones to donate them for recycling to raise vital funds

“To transform waste into money, which in turn brings a paediatric nurse to a family in need of expert respite care, is a magical trick. We’ve nearly all got an old phone taking up home and office space so everyone can become involved at no cost. Now there’s a bargain,” he said.

The television presenter, known for the programme Rip-off Republic, last year donated all author royalties from the sale of his personal financial advice book Short Hands, Long Pockets to the charity.

Last week, the charity launched the campaign in a bid to collect 100,000 old phones to raise money for its vital work.

Around 15 million mobile phones in Ireland are believed to be unused and unwanted. But figures show only one in 25 are recycled.

Jonathan Irwin, chief executive of the foundation, said phones could be donated by calling the freephone number 1850 525 545 to request a freepost recycling envelope.

Mr Irwin said: “In good condition or not broken, the mobile phones are worth €7 to €10 to us. They are worth serious money to us.”

The phones that are still usable are shipped to developing countries for reuse, while damaged phones are stripped down to individual parts and recycled.

The foundation works to aid the families of babies with severe developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy, which can require 24-hour care that is not covered by most insurance schemes. The charity provides home respite service during the first four years of the child’s life.

The charity, which has 226 children currently registered with it for care, spends €75,000 a month or €1.6m a year providing nine paediatric nurses to aid families.

Since the charity began in 1997 it has looked after nearly 700 children.