Frequently asked questions about the Little Star Fund

What is the Little Star Fund?

The Little Star Fund is a campaign to raise funds for four of Ireland leading children's charities working with sick children. We are asking people all around the country to donate a small part of their SSIA windfall to help the 250,000 sick children supported by these charities every year.

Who are the charities involved?

• Barretstown
• Our Lady's Hospital for Children, Crumlin
• The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght
• Temple Street Children's University Hospital

What will the money raised be spent on?

The money raised by the Little Star Fund will be divided equally between the four charities and will be used to fund vitally needed hospital equipment, medical research into childhood illness and family support programmes.

How many children will benefit from the Little Star Fund?

Over the course of a year, the four charities will help over 250,000 children from all over Ireland.

Do I have to give all of my SSIA money?

No, of course not. You have saved hard and you deserve to enjoy your SSIA windfall. We are only asking you to consider donating a small part of your SSIA windfall and any gift, no matter how small, will make a difference.

For example, if you receive an SSIA windfall of €15,000 just 1% of this, or €150, would go towards funding cardiac equipment for one of the hospitals.

How can I support the Little Star Fund?

To make a donation, you can:

• Log onto www.littlestarfund.ie and make a credit card donation (available shortly)
• Send a cheque made payable to "The Little Star Fund" to Little Star Fund, PO Box 10481, Dublin 12
• Go into any AIB branch and lodge to Account no: 24895071, sort code: 93-20-78

How much will the Little Star Fund raise?

We are aiming to raise over €1 million and we hope that a large number of SSIA holders will be inspired by the campaign and will want to get involved.

What happens to my donation if the hospitals merge in a few years?

Whatever decision is made by the government any newly merged hospital will not become a reality until later this decade and in the interim the hospitals continue to need funds. The funds raised by the Little Star Fund will be not be invested in buildings or built-in equipment. Therefore, any equipment that is funded will automatically be transferred to the new site and any research projects will continue regardless of any change of location.

Barretstown runs activity camps for children with cancer and other serious illness and is not directly linked to the three hospitals (although it takes children from all three hospitals on its programmes). Barretstown is independently funded through voluntary contributions.

Why should I support the Little Star Fund rather than one of my local charities?

Wherever you live in Ireland, if you have a child or know a child who is seriously ill or needs medical care, they are likely to be served by at least one, and probably several of the charities involved in the Little Star Fund. It is the first time that the four largest charities working with sick children in Ireland have joined together for such a campaign. Working together, we know we can make a huge difference to the lives of sick children all over Ireland.

Thank you for supporting the Little Star Fund.