November 2018 Newsletter

In 2017 over 2,000 children and family members received professional support from FirstLight. It is guaranteed this figure will be surpassed in 2018 as referrals from suddenly bereaved families grow on a weekly basis. Staff News In August 2017 I joined FirstLight as its first CEO in 41 years, and at a time when our referrals were doubling.  Additionally, in that year we had the retirement of Margaret Carty after almost 20 years of steadfast commitment to FirstLight. I want to take this opportunity and wish her every success in her retirement. In July 2018 we welcomed Andrew Mernagh as our new Marketing and Administration Manager, and finally, in September we welcomed Eli Bock as our marketing and administration intern, Eli hails from the USA and has been a great support to the team. Fundraising Appeal Finance and specifically the lack of it has always been a significant problem for FirstLight. In our 41-year history, we have never charged for our services as we do not want the insufficiency of personal financial resources to be a barrier to families already facing unexpected financial costs. While we receive annual funding from Tulsa which we are very grateful of, it is, unfortunately, insufficient to cover all our free support services. Therefore, fundraising is vital to subsiding our yearly deficit. In the past 24 months, we have received some fantastic support from many members and friends of FirstLight through fundraising campaigns. This has included walking, hiking, running, mountaineering, cycling, dancing, baking, singing, employer matched giving, gift wrapping and so much more. To every one of you from the bottom, our heats thank you. It is through your continued generous support; FirstLight can continue supporting bereaved parents and family members throughout Ireland who have suddenly lost a child Many people make donations to charity at the Christmas and New Year period, so we are appealing to people, that if you intend to do so, please consider the very worthy cause of FirstLight. To help give you some inspiration for your fundraising activities, we’ve enclosed an A to Z of fantastic fundraising ideas!  If you require additional support, please phone 01-8732711 or email [email protected] Volunteers Urgently Needed From December 1st to 24th we will have a FirstLight Christmas pop-up shop in Stephens Green Shopping Centre Dublin. The shop will be offering Christmas gift wrapping, as well as selling FirstLight Candles and pins. Additionally, we will be hosting a 41 Year I.S.D.A Exhibition which will include a display area consisting of I.S.D.A quilts, photographs, newsletters, press clippings, along with practical guides to safe sleep, smoking, waterproof mattresses and much more. As this store requires staffing from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm daily for four weeks we urgently need volunteers to support us with this endeavour. If you would like to volunteer for any/all of these 24 days, please email [email protected] or phone 01-8732711. Christmas Cards FirstLight and I.S.D.A Christmas cards are now for sale on our website www.firstlight.ie for €6.99 per pack of 8 plus postage and packaging. We would advise ordering early as demand is high and we have limited supplies this year. The next edition of the newsletter will be circulated at the end of January 2019, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone one of you a very peaceful Christmas

  • Dated: Dec 17