14th March 2006
IRELAND'S FOUR LARGEST CHILDREN'S CHARITIES FOR SICK CHILDREN JOIN FORCES TO TARGET 1.1m SSIA HOLDERS
RAY D'ARCY SHOWS HIS SUPPORT FOR THE LITTLE STAR FUND
The Little Star Fund children's campaign launched today and is calling on the 1.1 million Irish SSIA account holders to donate some of their cash windfall to help seriously ill children in Ireland.
The Little Star Fund is a unique campaign that sees Ireland's four largest children's charities for seriously ill children coming together for the first time. Barretstown, Our Lady's Hospital For Children, Crumlin, Temple Street Children's University Hospital and The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght have joined forces for this once off call for donations.
The essence of the Little Star Fund is to tap into the unique nature of the SSIA scheme by asking people to make a once off gift to the Little Star Fund.
It is estimated that €15 billion in cash will enter the economy over the next 12 months. With consumers due a cash bonanza after five years of saving, they are being bombarded by commercial organisations to spend their money on material goods such as luxury holidays, home improvements and cars. The campaign is asking SSIA holders to consider donating a very small amount of their cash windfall to the Little Star Fund to help over 250,000 sick children in Ireland.
Conor Byrne, a spokesman for the Little Star Fund said: "This is a once-off request and a unique opportunity for people in Ireland to demonstrate that the Celtic Tiger has not robbed them of their ability to give generously when asked. Irish people have traditionally been very generous over the years and the Little Star Fund is asking for a similar display of generosity this time. No gift is too small and any size of donation will go towards helping thousands of sick children and their families around the country."
He continued: "The average SSIA payout is estimated at €13,800 and a 1 per cent donation equates to €138. However, we are keen to stress that we don't want all your SSIA money, just a very small percentage or just a few euro. We acknowledge that people have saved hard for five years and are entitled to spend the bulk of their money how they wish."
Helping to launch the charity today was Marian Finucane and Ray D'Arcy along with four 'Little Stars' who represented the four national children's charities and the many sick children that need help annually in Ireland.
Commenting on the charity's appeal, Ray D'Arcy said: "I think this is an excellent idea. Irish people are being subjected every day to a barrage of information about what they should spend their SSIA cash on but little yet has been said about using it to help others. Donating even a small amount of our windfall can assist the Little Star Fund raise money to help the seriously ill children in Ireland."
He added: "Companies are tripping over themselves to get SSIA account holders to spend, spend, spend. But even if we give a little of our cash to the Little Star Fund, then we know our money has gone perhaps that little bit further than just on ourselves. As an SSIA holder myself, I think this is a great idea."
Donations can be made via the charity's website - www.littlestarfund.ie (available shortly) or by visiting any AIB branch or post office, by telephone banking or by posting a cheque to PO Box 1048 Dublin 12.
Notes to Editors:
The Little Star Fund is a campaign between the three national children's hospitals - Temple Street, The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght and Our Lady's Hospital for Children, Crumlin and Barretstown, The charity's aim is to encourage the 1.1 million SSIA holders around Ireland to donate some of the SSIA cash windfall to help improve the lives of seriously ill children.
For further information, please contact Pembroke Communications:
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