Award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan has returned as Ambassador for the 18th Annual Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, calling on people across Ireland to roll up their sleeves and help raise vital funds for sick children in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals and urgent care centres.
This year’s campaign is fronted by 11-year-old Saoirse McDonagh Davis from Co. Clare, a brave young nephrology patient who represents the thousands of children and families who rely on Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) services every day.
To thank participants for getting involved, bakers will also be in with a chance to win fantastic prizes, including a €1500 Centre Parcs voucher, a Kenwood stand mixer, and Gem baking hampers — generously supported by long-time sponsor Gem, who are celebrating their eighth year backing the campaign.
Taking place on Friday 27th March, the Great Irish Bake invites individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community groups to host bake sales and coffee mornings in support of sick children.
With Donal’s support and the generosity of bakers nationwide, the Great Irish Bake has raised over €1 million in the last five years, funding vital therapies, family supports, innovative technologies and life-saving research across CHI hospitals and urgent care centres in Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Donal Skehan said: “The Great Irish Bake is one of those brilliant ideas that brings people together in the simplest way, a bake, a cuppa, and a bit of time. Knowing that something so small can make such a meaningful difference to children and families when they need it most is incredibly powerful, and I’m proud to support it year after year”
Saoirse’s story highlights the impact of this support. Born healthy, she was diagnosed shortly after her first birthday with a rare hereditary kidney condition, also affecting her father, Gary. Over the past decade, Saoirse has spent long periods receiving care at CHI Temple Street and now travels from Clare three times a week for life-saving dialysis treatment.
She joins this year’s campaign as the star patient, helping shine a light on the importance of continued funding for children just like her.
Bobby Mulligan, Managing Director of Gem Pack Foods, shares, said: “We’re proud to support the Great Irish Bake for the eighth year in a row. It’s wonderful to see communities, schools, and families coming together to bake for such an important cause. Every bake, big or small, helps make a real difference for children like Saoirse, and we hope more people across Ireland will join in to support this incredible initiative”.
The Great Irish Bake is open to everyone, with participants encouraged to get creative and host events in homes, schools, offices and communities. Supporters can access baking tips, recipes and downloadable resources from Donal Skehan and Gem to help make their event a success.
So this spring, host a bake sale, raise some ‘dough’, and help support sick children and their future.
To register and start planning your event, visit www.childrenshealth.ie/GreatIrishBake
