The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation

A Tribute to Jonathan Irwin, May He Rest in Peace   21 June 1941 - 10 December 2023   We are very sad to announce the death of Jonathan Irwin, our wonderful brave and kind Founder of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, who passed away this morning, after a short illness.   Jonathan (82) has led a wonderful life that has touched and supported so many families and he never tired of helping others, right up until the end.   Jonathan is survived by his wife Mary Ann O'Brien and their children Lily, Phonsie, Molly and predeceased by sons Jack and John; he is also sadly missed by his first wife Mikaela and their sons Pirate, Jago, Luke and predeceased by their son Sam. He was so very proud of his grandchildren Otis, Violet, Iris and Xanthia. Jonathan turned his grief and his vision into support for others. “What else can I do?” he’d often say.   That vision became a reality of a home nursing care model in his son Jack's name that has supported 2,964 children across the country over the last 26 years and counting, without any means test, red tape or waiting list. Jonathan was our Chief Fundraiser, our Chief Ambassador, who had true grit, charm and compassion in spades.    Jonathan Irwin was charisma personified. From an Anglo-Irish background of actors and academics, this Eton educated, Trinity drop-out had what he himself called “a glittering career” in several roles. Bloodstock agent, auction house boss, announcer, publisher, racecourse executive and more. He worked for BBA Ireland, The Turf Club and Goffs – where he dreamt up and introduced the Cartier Million, Europe’s Richest race and the first IR£1 million sports event in Europe. He was also involved in Dublin International Sports Council and the Special Olympics and, more recently, the ‘Horses of Hope’ Equine Centre at Castlerea Prison. However, none of these roles, he said, was more challenging or rewarding than his role with Jack and Jill, where he advocated on behalf of family carers with all his might.   Jonathan won many awards over the years including Irish and Global Fundraiser of the Year, PR Excellence Award, a People of the Year Award and he was made Fellow of the Faculty of Paediatrics and received a Knighthood of St Lazarus. But, for this brilliant storyteller, the best reward was the feedback from the families about the difference that Jack and Jill made.    Never one to retire, he always stayed in touch, and we were very glad to have him at our recent staff Strategy Day in Kilkenny where he received a standing ovation. When the shock waves subside a little, we will share our memories of Jonathan and the many tributes already rolling in.    He was unique. Articulate, charismatic, debonair, persuasive, driven, imaginative, flamboyant; a true one-off and the ultimate showman.   May He Rest in Peace.

👏 Huge congrats to Sharon Hayes, Ben Murphy, Annie Dawson, for taking on the challenge to run the 42.195 KM Berlin Marathon on September 29th. 🏃♀️ 🎽 Massive well done and you smashed it in super timing. 🏃🥇 🕐 Sharon took on this challenge to raise funds in aid of Jack and Jill on behalf of her cousin Paul Bourke and his wonderful family. Pauls and Ashley’s daughter Lucia is currently under our Jack and Jill wing. 🧡🧡 🎉 Your incredible running and fundraising efforts raised an amazing €8,926, providing over 495 hours of at-home nursing and respite care for our 421 Jack and Jill families across Ireland! 🌟🥇 #CommunityHero #TeamJackandJill #CommunitySupport #ThankYou #SupportLocal #DonateLocal #JackandJillFamilies #BerlinMarathon2024

🏃♀️Huge congratulations to all the amazing ladies who completed the Cork Echo Women's Mini Marathon 2024! 💪 You completed an incredible challenge while also raising vital funds for our 48 Jack and Jill families in Cork! THANK YOU!🧡✨ #WomensMiniMarathon #Cork2024 #TeamJackandJill #SupportLocal #CommunityHeroes #DonateLocal

🏃♂️💨 #TeamJackandJill want to say a massive GOOD LUCK to everyone running the Dublin Marathon this weekend! 🎉 We hope you enjoy the day you've all been working so hard for! 💪 ⭐An extra special shout-out to everyone running in support of our 104 Jack and Jill families across Dublin! 🧡👏 #DublinMarathon #GoodLuckRunners #SupportLocal #RunForACause #CommunitySpirit #MarathonMagic #CommunityHeroes #DonateLocal

📣🎄Calling all early Christmas shoppers! 🎄📣 Jack and Jill's Christmas Collection has arrived! ✨ Every year, Jack and Jill release a Christmas collection to help support our families. This year, we have over 420 families. Every €18 raised provides a precious hour of in-home nursing and respite care, a true Gift of Time for Jack and Jill families. 🧡 It is always important for families to be together, even more so around the Christmas season. #Home4Christmas🧡 Shop our 2024 Christmas Collection 🎁 https://lnkd.in/eKNj8c_N #Home4Christmas #SupportLocal #ShopLocal #donatelocal

⛳️🙌 A huge THANK YOU to Captain Gerry Cleary, Lady Captain Órla Fetherston, President Anna Marie Dufficy, Men's Vice Captain Noel Hickey, Lady Vice Captain Mary Brennan, Vice President Ray Maguire, and all the team at Clontarf Golf Club for their incredible fundraising in support of Jack and Jill!🧡 Captain Gerry chose Jack and Jill for his Captain’s Day, having a special connection to the charity, and an amazing €13,424 was raised! 🧡 This will provide 745 hours of in-home nursing and respite care for Jack and Jill families! 🏡 #communityheroes #DonateLocal #18HolesForJackandJill #GolfForGood #SupportJackandJill #CommunitySupport #CharityGolf

CSRD Reporting is Coming! 🌍 With the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) coming into effect for companies across the EU, we at The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation are gearing up to support our corporate partners in their sustainability and social impact reporting. 💪 At Jack and Jill, we don’t just tick boxes in the social impact area of ESG - we also focus on sustainability through our support of the circular economy with our network of charity retail boutiques. ♻️ To start this journey, our team has completed the CSRD Fundamentals Course with the CSRD Institute. We want to make sure we are fully equipped to support our partners in this transition. Feel free to drop me a DM if you would like to find out more about partnering with Jack and Jill. CSRD is inevitable and we’re here to make the process easier for you, while continuing to make a real difference to families and communities across Ireland!

Re-turn and representatives from the Return for Children charity initiative visited Vodafone Ireland's head office this week to launch Vodafone's support of the Return for Children initiative. For more information on Return for Children and to find out how you can get involved email business@re-turn.ie Barnardos Ireland Barretstown ISPCC LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice Make-A-Wish Ireland The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation #BringitBack #ReturnIreland #Communityinitiative #Bringitbackpayitforward 

A huge thank you to Laura, her family, and friends for going #UpTheHill for Jack and Jill! 🎉 ☀️The weather was perfect, and what a beautiful way to mark little Conor's 1st birthday.🙌 They’ve raised an incredible €5,385 which will provide over 299 hours of at home nursing and respite care for our 421 Jack and Jill families across Ireland!🧡 🌟A special thank you to Suttonians Rugby Club for hosting the after-walk gathering with tea & coffee! ☕ #TeamJackandJill #SupportLocal #CommunityHeroes #FamilySupport #UptheHill24 #JackandJill #DonateLocal #thankyou

🎉 Join Us for a Fun Science Fundraiser! 🎉 We are excited to announce Junior Einsteins for Jack and Jill: A Fun Science Fundraiser happening at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Kilkenny on 26 October 2024 from 3PM to 5PM! Watch exciting science experiments like exploding Elephant’s Toothpaste, electrifying Plasma Balls, and flying Van Der Graaf Saucers! This is an amazing opportunity to have fun while supporting a great cause—the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. 📅 Save the date and bring the whole family for an unforgettable science show! 📲 Scan the QR code to donate and support this amazing cause! Let’s make a difference together! 💡🔬 #ScienceForACause #JackAndJillFoundation #JuniorEinsteins #STEMFun #FundraiserEvent #Kilkenny