The Charities

Limerick Lourdes Invalid Fund

The Limerick Pilgraimage to Lourdes has been in existence since pre World War II

At this time it was the Parish of St.Marys who led and organised the pilgrimage. St.Marys Parish was also known as Mary of the Assumpta, and this name has carried through to present day Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage - "Maria Assumpta" Pilgrimage.

Post World War II the pilgrimage travelled to Lourdes every 3 years , when Limerick became a diocese the Pilgrimage became an annual event The Pilgrimage takes place between the 21st and 26th June . A number of people have been involved in the promotion and direction of the Pilgrimage( under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick ) these would include Bishop Eamon Casey , Fr.Garry Bleuth ,Monsignor Liam Boyle , Fr. Joe Noonan and present day Pilgrimage Director Fr.Donal McNamara.

United Irish Lourdes Pilgrims, this was founded by the Irish Bishops to help keep down the costs. It means that all carriers (planes) chartered by UIPL are back to back, in other words they are full on both outward and inward journeys. Additional seats that are required by Pilgrimages are then acquired from their travel agent.

The pilgrimage continues to grow from strength to strength every year. 2007 Pilgrimage saw up to seven hundred pilgrims including 100 youth, 100 invalids, 150 helpers and between twenty and 25 priests, always led by Our Bishop Donal Murray

The Committee and Team members would like to take this opportunity to Thank everyone who has contributed in order to make this cycle a success
as we look forward to completing the cycle

Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) was founded in 1985 by a small group of friends, relatives and carers of Motor Neurone Disease (also referred to as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS) sufferers. The Association functions mainly as a support organisation for people who have MND, their carers and families. This work entails home visiting by our MND nurse specialist, financial assistance towards home nursing and supply of specialised equipment on loan to clients. The Association also supports research into the causes and treatment of Motor Neurone Disease. For more information on the research that is currently been carried out in Ireland visit the Research Motor Neurone website.

Mission Statement

• To encourage and promote the best methods of care, education, research and treatment for people with Motor Neurone Disease throughout the State of Ireland, contributing to worldwide efforts in research and development of treatment.
• To establish and promote models of good practice in the delivery of specialised services to our patients, their families and carers, setting standards of excellence.
• To communicate widely knowledge of Motor Neurone Disease and related disorders in order to raise awareness in the wider community.

The cornerstone of the IMNDA's approach is to put people with MND at the heart of all its focus, to champion their voice and dignity, to provide information resources and support so as to empower them to make informed decisions for themselves as individuals, whilst also providing every possible support to their families and carers.

We are charity number Chy 8510. Since its foundation, the Association has developed specialist, individulaised, services that reflect the needs of the Irish MND community. Our ethos is to ensure rapid access to these vital services for all of our clients regardless of their location or means. Provision of the specialist medical equipment and aids to people with MND plays a vital role in improving their quality of life, enabling them to live as active, independent citizens within their community and to remain in their home with their families for as long as possible. We support over a quarter of our members financially with a home help supplement so that they obtain additional hours of home help to that offered by their community, which is vital to their well-being, care and dignity. Our dedicated Nurse works remotely providing expert one on one advice during home visits as well as educating community teams, whilst the Association also funds counselling for those living with the disease.

The Cliona Ring Foundation

The Foundation is named after Cliona who lost her very bravely fought battle against illness in December 2006.

Cliona was loved and admired by all her family, friends, neighbours and the wider community for the courage and good humour with which she faced her illness and its treatment. Cliona loved life and loved people and Brendan and Terry, Cliona's Mum and Dad, were encouraged by the strength of community spirit that Cliona inspired, especially the support shown at the mass to celebrate Cliona's life which was held in early December in the days following her passing. There was a very strong feeling amongst friends and family that the way Cliona lived her life, enjoying every possible moment despite obstacles, could provide the inspiration for something that would help other families facing illness.

After Cliona was diagnosed with cancer in 1998 her parents discovered that, in addition to the emotional drain on families in their situation, even families with good medical coverage find that the lodging, food and other non medical expenses can prove quite a hardship for some families.

The Cliona Ring Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2007 to fill a great need: providing financial assistance to families from Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness. Funds raised are not be used to pay for the child's actual medical care; rather, donations are made to families for other "hidden" costs, including hotels, restaurants, petrol and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by families who must take sick children to hospitals or other medical facilities for frequent treatments.

The Foundation raises funds and disperses financial support to families from Ireland who have children diagnosed with serious illness. Specifically, the funds are to be used to defray travel, lodging, food and miscellaneous expenses associated with visits to hospitals or other treatment facilities.

The Cliona Ring Foundation is unique in that it focuses completely on non medical assistance for the entire family during a child's treatment and recovery.

The goal of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of children and families who are dealing with the trauma of serious childhood illness. The ultimate goal of the Foundation is to assist families in remaining intact and functional during their crisis and to endeavour that all the family members, friends and neighbours affected by serious childhood illness are helped and supported and no needs are left unmet for as long as needed.

Given the nature of this Foundation, even a little money can make a great difference. Your support would be greatly appreciated.