In July 1993 Eilish Degnan was diagnosed with terminal Cancer of the Stomach and given at most 3 weeks to live by Doctors treating her condition. Some fourteen years later and to the bewilderment of all the medical professionals surrounding her, Eilish was still going strong. But in 2008 Eilish was re-diagnosed and again the condition was terminal. In June 2008 she passed away quietly in her home with her family and friends beside her.
Through the inspirational spirit of Eilish Degnan this Children's Foundation was formed and we have set ourselves clear and simple goals:
“To raise funds to aid and help the children suffering from all forms of life limiting illness and their families. To give them a brief respite from the daily burden of this debilitating disease with day trips, holidays or even meet with their heroes… bringing a little happiness into their lives.”
As a non-profit organisation we are dedicated to our work and are acutely aware that although the UK have some of the most dedicated professionals available we also have one of the highest cancer mortality rates. Our fundraising is to help those children who have a life limiting diagnosis and to make their stay in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children a little less intimidating.
This year, as we do every year we are once again collecting Easter Eggs and Toys to distribute at Easter in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. if you would like to donate please contact us or call into our store in Carrickfergus any Friday or Saturday.
Heroes
Hero’s come in many sizes, shapes and forms.
My mum would be my first and biggest hero, along with people like Joey and Robert Dunlop.
But I would like to say that all the children and their families that I meet through this foundation are also real heroes!
British Empire Medal
Gerald receives award at Hillsborough Castle
The magnificent work performed by Gerald Degnan and the foundation over the years has been recognised with the award of a British Empire Medal to Gerald in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours list. The award is recognition for the services to patients and their families at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
On Tuesday 27th September, Gerald received his award at a ceremony in Hillsborough Castle. Below is Gerald receiving the BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.
Congratulations to Gerald and many thanks to all those who were kind enough to nominate him.
New Premises for our shop
Unit 3 - Kilroot Business Park
After a lot of hard work from our many volunteers, we will move our shop to new premises in the Kilroot Business Park from Saturday January 15th.
Our new premises will enable us to better display the many items we sell to support the foundation and will allow us to open for longer on a Friday and a Saturday (Until 4.00 p.m.), but we hope to also open on a couple of days during the week. We will announce this soon.
Andy Coates Sponsored Cycle Ride
On August 29th Andy Coates,a keen cyclist and volunteer at the Eilish Degnan cancer foundation store in Killroot business park Carrickfergus took on a challenge to cycle to the Royal Belfast hospital for Sick children, with a few extra mile on his return journey (50k) to help raise much needed funds for the foundation, Andy has given a lot of his time and support to the foundation and has seen what it really means to the Children's hospital and decided to go a bit further with his sponsored cycle.
Andy's final total raised is a brillant £650, well done Andy and many thanks to everyone who donated.
How can you help? Very Easily
We are always looking for volunteers for our fund raising activities. Everyone is welcome at the events we organise to raise funds to help those children who are in need of our help most. If you’d like to contribute to our organisation, you can become a member or simply make a donation using this page or
By contacting us at: