Deirdre O’Brien, Sophies Journey Foundation, John Cleary, Barrington’s Great Limerick Run, Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon, Cecilia O’Flaherty, Honouring Aaron, Karl Daly, Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Bernadette Kenny, Bluebox and Richard Lynch, Honouring Aaron Ambassador at the Honouring Aaron charity check presentations at the George Boutique Hotel Limerick. Picture: Johnny Baynes/ilovelimerick
Limerick organisation Honouring Aaron, previously titled ‘Remembering Aaron’, was established in 2015 in memory of Aaron O’Flaherty who tragically passed away in 2014 at Temple Street Children’s Hospital after an accident at the Blackhead Lighthouse, Co. Clare. The aim of Honouring Aaron is to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital and also a number of children’s charities in Limerick.
On Tuesday, March 28 at the George Boutique Hotel in Limerick, the organisation made check presentations to the value of €8,000 in honour of their fundraising efforts to their chosen charities for 2016.
This was Limerick organisation Honouring Aaron’s second year of fundraising bringing their two-year fundraising total to over €19,000.
In 2015, Honouring Aaron raised funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital along with two charities Bumbleance and Cliona’s Foundation, plus two Limerick based organisations, Claughauns GAA and Limerick Lakers Basketball. These were selected as they had touched Aaron’s life in one-way or another.
For 2016, Limerick organisation Honouring Aaron raises over €19,000 in funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital along with three Limerick children’s charities The Blue Box, Sophie’s Journey and Ian’s Trust. Checks to the value of €2,000 were presented to each charity.
Cecilia, Aaron’s mom and founder of the organisation, remains entirely grateful for the work and support shown by the people of Temple Street during such a traumatic time “They were so good to him. They were all touched by Aaron in the time he was there and treated us with dignity and kindness,” Cecelia said.
The Blue Box Creative Learning Centre provides trained professionals to Limerick schools and families to help children through difficult times using creative arts therapies.
Ian’s Trust provides funds to support families of children who suffer from Acquired Brain Injury. Orla Cusack set up the trust in memory of her son who passed away in 2012 after suffering a severe acquired brain injury following a road accident in 2008.
Liam and Stacey Mulcahy founded Sophie’s Journey Foundation in January 2015 in memory of their daughter who sadly passed away from kidney failure in 2014. They support families who are caring for children with life-limiting conditions.
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon who spoke at the check presentation event said, “Thankfully from out of a very sad tragedy for Limerick, people rallied together to do a lot of good and as a result, Aaron will never be forgotten. It means so much that the money raised is going to children’s charities in his honour. This really is a true reflection of the best of Limerick.”
Speaking at the launch was the official ambassador for Limerick organisation Honouring Aaron, community activist and founder of ILoveLimerick.com Richard Lynch. “I am honoured to be representing Honouring Aaron. Each charity the Foundation has chosen to support offers invaluable support to families in aid, because children matter. Honouring Aaron is Cecilia’s way of giving back to a community that was so supportive of her, as well as a way to honour her late son, by doing something positive.”
Cecilia, a Civil Defence officer, acknowledged the support offered by the people of Limerick saying that it has been “overwhelming”. She added, “I am thrilled to announce that this May the #Aarothon will be taking place as part of the Barrington’s Great Limerick Run to raise awareness for Honouring Aaron, and raise vital funds for our selected charities and I am asking people to please take part in the run on our behalf. I am also pleased to announce that this year the Kids Run in the University of Limerick will be in honour of Aaron.”
