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Launching #Firstlightkerry100 were, TD Michael Healy Rae, David Moran of Casey & Co. and Jennifer Foran Smyth Fundraising Manager FirstLight. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
AN organisation that provides professional support to bereaved parents has launched an appeal to businesses in Kerry to give them a helping hand.
Every year in Kerry, over 130 parents, families and professionals are affected by the devastation of losing a child or young person suddenly. Limerick-based bereavement charity, FirstLight, seek to help those who are suffering with that loss.
On Monday, they launched FirstLightKerry100 with TD Michael Healy Rae, Kerry footballer David Moran of Casey and Co Accountants Tralee and Jennifer Foran Smyth of FirstLight.
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2016 has seen an increase of 68% in the number of notifications to FirstLight – an organisation that provides professional supports during these traumatic events.
During 2015 the FirstLight hotline received 243 calls. In 2016 to date Jan-Aug the hotline has received 291 calls, an increase of over 100% on this time last year.
Due to this increase FirstLight need to raise €25,000 so we are asking 100 Kerry businesses to come together to ensure the Kerry families who lose a child or young person unexpectedly receive the appropriate and professional care they need.
FirstLightKerry100 was launched on September 26 and is proudly supported by Michael Healy Rae TD, Margaret Kissane Connect Publications, David Moran of Casey and Co Accountants Tralee.
FirstLight Patron, actress Leigh Arnold, believes that “the specialised work that FirstLight do on a daily basis saves, changes and supports parents and families lives through the most harrowing event a family can experience. This is why FirstLight exists.”
Ambassador for the charity Úna Crawford O’Brien also endorses this campaign to ensure that all individuals who are affected by the sudden loss of a child have the choice to avail of professional support services.
FirstLight is calling out to 100 Kerry businesses to roll in behind Leigh and Úna to donate a minimum of €250 to the FirstLightKerry100 Campaign to reach a target of €25,000.
Kevin O’Meara, Chairman of FirstLight who lost his son Timmy also stresses the importance of the campaign. Kevin believes “by encouraging businesses to sign up and support the campaign we can enable FirstLight to ensure that these services are available to all parents, families and professionals who want the help of FirstLight no matter where they live…. A service that literally provides a light in the darkest moment imaginable”.
To sign up to the campaign contact: Jennifer at 0879157986 jennifer@firstlight.ie
