iCare’s Big Ball Roll
iCare wasted no time getting into action to deliver its latest iCare Wish request. The Milford based charity was approached with a request to help support a family in Omagh. Ronan aged 14, who was diagnosed with 4 brain tumours when he was just 12 years old. Since his diagnosis, Ronan has had multiple brain surgeries and intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He also travelled to America to receive intense proton beam therapy. Due to his illness, the teenager spends a lot of time in a hospital bed in his living room to rest and has limited mobility, relying on a wheelchair. Despite the challenges his illness brings Ronan is a smiling, happy boy with a witty sense of humour! He enjoys interacting with his siblings, playing computer games, playing with Lego and watching his favourite TV programmes.
Ronan has regular hospital appointments and is still under cancer care to manage his condition. The family spend their time caring for Ronan and each day isn’t without a challenge. iCare was touched by the wish request to support the family and was determined to help by raising money to help with Ronan’s supports needs.
The Recruitment team within Homecare Independent Living (HCIL) answered this call and decided to organise a fundraiser. The Team came up with a fun and innovative idea to hold a Ball Roll and spent several weeks planning the event, collecting sponsorship and securing prizes from local shops and businesses.
On the 5th of June HCIL staff gathered at the Head Office grounds were one thousand brightly coloured numbered balls were placed in the bucket of a digger and then released down the hill. Staff eagerly awaited to record the balls which had made it to the bottom first winning their lucky owner a prize! The morning was a great success raising over £800. The McDonagh family were completely overwhelmed by this amount expressing the positive difference that this will make in supporting Ronan.
Well done to the Recruitment Team for all their hard work, to the local shops and businesses who contributed spot prizes and to everyone who donated. Thanks also to Dympna Mackle, Recruitment Manager for coming up with the Ball Roll idea!!
