LauraLynn announce exciting partnership with Riverdance

May 23, 2022

LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice have announced a very exciting partnership with Riverdance as they celebrate their return to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
Riverdance will come on board with Ireland’s only children’s hospice to help raise funds through their annual Danceathon Event in June and will help create experiences of a life-time with a special parent-led project which will see four LauraLynn Mums join the cast of Riverdance for a very special performance

Riverdance will hold their annual Dancethon outside the Gaiety Theatre on 23rd June in aid of LauraLynn and the cast have also come on board this week to help end LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice Week on a high by helping to make ‘Little Moments’ happen for four LauraLynn Mums who will take part in a very special project.
This unique parent led project which will see four LauraLynn Mums train with Riverdance and join the cast on stage in the Gaiety Theatre in June for a once in a life-time experience.
For the majority of parents caring for a child with a life-limiting condition, taking on new hobbies or activities is rare due to the caring needs of their child. Within the Creative Therapies in LauraLynn the charity aims to find ways to include families in extraordinary experiences, push boundaries on expectations and create a space that encourages a family or indeed a member of a family to lean out of the “everyday” activities into unfamiliar territory.
Commenting on this exciting partnership, Padraic Moyles Riverdance Executive Producer said;
“We are both honoured and humbled to be working with the inspirational LauraLynn team. We are privileged to have the opportunity to welcome the LauraLynn mums to share our passion for music and dance and to perform with us on the Gaiety Theatre stage as part of our annual RiverDanceAthon. We hope in some small way to support and recognise their incredible work and help create a special ‘Little Moment’ for them and their families”
LauraLynn CEO, Kerry McLaverty, added “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Riverdance. Music and dance both play a huge part of what we do in LauraLynn, our children and families often enjoy music and dancing when they visit, so this partnership is such a natural collaboration for us as an organisation. Making ‘Little Moments’ happen for some of our LauraLynn Mums as part of this partnership is incredible and embodies our holistic approach to care which includes the whole family. Riverdance enabling these mums to take time out for themselves and perform with the cast will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for these incredible parents. We are so grateful to Riverdance for helping us to raise awareness, funds and create lasting memories for those in our LauraLynn community. This exiting news rounds off our Children’s Hospice Week Campaign on a high.’’

LauraLynn is Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice providing palliative and hospice care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families from all across Ireland. LauraLynn, provides a range of services including, symptom management for children, music and play therapy, psychological support, family and sibling camps, short breaks, Crisis Care and End of Life Care. Care can be availed of in our specialised hospice in Leopardstown, at hospital, in the community, or in the family home, depending on the location and medical needs of the child and the family’s preference. LauraLynn provides vital bereavement supports to families after they have lost a child. LauraLynn also undertakes research into the relatively new area of children’s palliative care. LauraLynn care is provided free of charge for children and families. Last year in 2021, LauraLynn received core statutory state funding which equated to approximately one third of the overall running costs for the hospice. LauraLynn relies primarily on fundraised income to fund its hospice services. Since opening in 2011, LauraLynn has cared for over 565 children and their families, with more than 350 children and families currently availing of care & supports.

For further information please visit lauralynn.ie