Cliona’s was founded by Brendan and Terry
Ring after the loss of their daughter Cliona from an inoperable brain tumour in
2006 aged 15. Over the years, as Cliona underwent numerous different hospital
treatments, Brendan and Terry met countless families, facing enormous financial
hardship, on the brink of financial free-fall, blindsided by non-medical
expenses piling up. They saw first-hand the enormous toll it took on these
families, already struggling to cope with the nightmare of having a seriously
ill child. Since our establishment in 2007 we have provided financial support
to over 1800 families.
We address a
critical need in society.
Today, more than
7,000 children in Ireland are living with a life-limiting or serious illness,
with about 400 newly diagnosed every year — and tragically, 400 children who
succumb to their illness annually. These families face unimaginable emotional
stress, but they also face an overwhelming and often invisible financial
burden.
Unlike medical costs, non-medical expenses
— accommodation, petrol, parking, food, accommodation, childcare, etc receive almost
no government support. 100% of our funding is currently raised through the
public, events, donors, legacy giving, trusts and corporate partnerships.
There are very few organisations in Ireland dedicated to filling this gap.
Cliona's provide funding to eligible
families caring for a seriously sick child to help with non-medical expenses
associated with their diagnosis. Non-medical costs build up quickly ensuring
the family endure even more stress. Cliona's provides financial help to relieve
some of this stress. In 70% of two parent income households, one parent must
give up their job to care for the sick child. This means that financial
hardship becomes an inevitability for many.
Your support would
directly help families at their most vulnerable moment, ensuring that parents
can focus on caring for their sick child, not on bills and debt.
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Cliona's Foundation - Registered Charity Number 20068899
Cliona's Foundation provides nationwide financial assistance to families of seriously sick children to help with the non medical costs of caring for their child while in hospital or at home
There are approx 5,000 children in Ireland with a life limiting condition and for many of these families the additional cost places them in crisis.
These costs include but are not limited to accommodation, travel, car parking, food, childcare, specialist equipment & much more and can amount to an additional €15,000 a year
For many of these families one of the parents has to give up work to care for their child reducing the household income & placing significant financial pressure on them.
Cliona’s believe that no family should have to face any added financial stress, when already struggling with the devastation and trauma of a seriously ill child.
Cliona’s relies 100% on income raised through a range of activities including events & fundraising, corporate donations, philanthropy & private donations and charity partnerships & have supported 1,900 families over the past 18 years - 186 in 2025.
