Tibohine airshow to raise funds for two important charities
The annual Tibohine Fly-In, a staple in the flying and community calendar, will take place on 26th and 27th June (weather depending), with all proceeds going to the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation and Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland.
The event, run by James Morrisroe and members of Tibohine Flying Club, has raised over €30,000 for a number of charities over the last 11 years.
“We are delighted that we can hold the Fly-In this year and raise money for our chosen charities – Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland. This year we have teamed up with Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland as a number of children in the Frenchpark/Ballaghadereen area have being diagnosed with cancer over the past few years. The flying community have always been hugely supportive of this event. We have worked hard to make it a safe outdoor environment for visitors, so we look forward to welcoming everyone,” said James.
Admission for spectators and families is a minimum donation of €5, all of which goes to the two chosen charities.
According to Martina Jennings CEO of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation, continued community support during Covid has been vital to the organisation’s work. “The last year has been a challenging time for charities who are trying to raise funds, but the demand for palliative care services hasn’t waned and events like this make a huge difference to the Foundation. Without this support we could not have continued to fund the service, or be able to complete the build of our Roscommon Hospice. The Fly-In has raised significant funds for Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation for over 10 years now and we are very grateful to be one of the chosen charities again this year. Thanks so much to James for his unwavering support over the last number of years”
Laura Cullinan, voluntary director with Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland, noted that funds raised at Tibohine Fly-In will allow the charity to continue its work in the region. “One of our key projects is to refurbish isolation rooms in shared care hospitals, where children with cancer receive treatment outside of Crumlin. The rooms in Sligo General Hospital was finished last year and we will soon begin working with Mayo University Hospital shortly. Events like these make this work possible and really make a difference to families living with childhood cancer.”
Tibohine Airfield is located in Tibohine not far from Frenchpark Co. Roscommon. The organisers have worked hard to ensure that social distancing procedures will be in place both for visiting pilots and visitors on the ground. There will be a BBQ on both days and lots of fun for all the family over the weekend from 1pm – 6pm each day.
For more details, contact James Morrisroe at Tibohine Flying Club on 086 250 0153.
Notes:
- Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland does not receive any Government funding.
- CHI at Crumlin has a team of Play Specialists who work throughout the hospital. Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland fully funds the dedicated Play Specialist for St. John’s Day Ward.
- The average length of treatment for childhood cancer is 3-5 years.
- Play Specialists use play to help psychologically prepare children with cancer for the hospital procedures they will endure as part of their treatment. These treatments may be painful and frightening for children and families. Working with the child at their developmental stage, play helps them to work through difficult situations.
- In the past 3 years childhood cancer foundation Ireland has funded the refurbishment of Isolation and treatment rooms in Mullingar midlands regional hospital, Sligo General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe, Clonmel, University Hospital Tralee, Letterkenny Hospital, Waterford Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda for children with cancer.
- As well as funding the Play Specialist in St. John’s Ward, the organisation also funds Beads of Courage ® a programme which is run by the Play Specialist and provides children with colourful beads to mark each stage of their treatment journey, as well as special courage beads, giving them something tangible to tell their story.
- Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland is also in the middle of a programme to refurbish isolation rooms in 16 Shared Care facilities in regional hospitals around the country, which children with cancer may be treated outside of CHI at Crumlin. They fund equipment including wall-mounted cardiac monitors and thermometers, electric beds, life-flat day beds for parents, TVs, DVD players, gaming devices and vinyl wall art to brighten up the isolation rooms.