Woodie’s has launched its annual Woodie’s Heroes campaign, with every cent raised this year going towards four Irish charities – ISPCC Childline, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland and Make-A-Wish Ireland. The campaign will run until August 12 so please, all support is appreciated!
This year’s campaign is now live at Woodie’s stores across Dublin and Woodies have raised €3m to date for Irish children’s charities since 2015.
Woodie’s colleagues voted four charities to be in receipt of much needed funds and this year’s beneficiaries are ISPCC Childline, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Each year, Woodie’s works with the chosen charities to select an ambassador that represents the charity. This year’s ambassadors are Daniel and Piper (Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland), Pippa and Lisa (Down Syndrome Ireland), Heleanna and Mary Ann (Make-A-Wish Ireland) and Jonathan (ISPCC). See images attached and stories below.
Woodie’s CEO Damien Dwyer said: “We are thrilled to embark on our annual Woodie’s Heroes’ campaign, dedicated to raising funds for four incredibly deserving children’s charities. Now in its ninth year, this initiative would not be possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated colleagues, loyal customers, and valued suppliers, who have consistently come together to make a remarkable impact. Working together over the years, we have already raised €3 million for Irish children’s charities which has made a meaningful difference.
As we gear up for this year’s fundraising efforts, we are filled with excitement and anticipation, confident that it will be our greatest year yet! Please get behind your local Woodie’s store on this journey and help us support Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, ISPCC Childline, Down Syndrome Ireland and Make-A-Wish Ireland, from now until August 12.”
You can donate at the till in your local Woodie’s store, scan the iDonate QR code online or if not in store can text to donate. 100% of donations go directly to the charities and are divided equally among them.
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland – a litte of Daniel and Piper’s Story (above) – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BPyTlakC6bc
Daniel and his assistance dog Piper are this year’s Heroes ambassadors for Autism Assistance Dogs Ire. Before Piper’s arrival to the Gilsenan family, Daniel was a constant flight risk and even the simplest of tasks of going to the shop for milk was extremely difficult.
However, since Piper joined the household, the whole family’s lives has been transformed. According to Mark, Daniel’s dad, Piper is a “gentle leader”, keeping Daniel comfortable and calm, especially on the event of Daniels First Holy Communion.
Down Syndrome Ireland – Pippa and Lisa’s Story
Pippa and her proud mum Lisa are the Woodie’s Heroes ambassadors for Down Syndrome Ireland. Lisa had no idea that her baby girl would be born with Down Syndrome until after her birth at 32 weeks. Pippa’s formal diagnosis wasn’t made until two weeks after birth, but tests were completed on the day of birth based on Pippa’s eye shape.
The initial news was hard for Lisa, however, with the help of Down Syndrome Ireland, Lisa and Pippa got the support and care she needed. As Pippa has grown up, Lisa has enrolled her in several beneficial DSI Early Years programmes, such as speech and language. Lisa has also found the connections she has made with other families through Down Syndrome Ireland incredibly supportive.
With the vital fundraising from Woodie’s Heroes, Down Syndrome Ireland will use the funds to help further develop the Early Years programmes for young children throughout Ireland.
Make-A-Wish Ireland – Heleanna and Mary Ann’s Story –
see https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzVG8BAKLyE
Make-A-Wish Ireland’s Woodies Heroes ambassadors are Tipperary twins, Heleanna and Mary Ann, who both live with a rare genetic condition called Hunters syndrome (also known as Hurlers syndrome).
Heleanna and Mary Ann had their two wishes granted last year right before their 10th birthday. Heleanna received her dream purple playhouse with a swing set for their back garden, while Mary Ann visited Disney UK with Make-A-Wish and met all her favourite princesses. Helen, the twin’s mum, told us that the impact of their wish was beyond words, stating “it’s something the girls never stop talking about. To say it felt like a dream is an understatement”.
Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, bringing hope, strength, and happiness. When helping to plan a wish, the wish granters tell children to think about what makes them smile most just before they go to bed, and if they are still smiling and thinking about it in the morning, then that’s the wish for them.
Make-A-Wish currently have 250 children who are now waiting for their wish to happen. Make-A-Wish Ireland will use the money raised from Woodie’s Heroes to help reduce their waiting list and grant wishes for children with serious illnesses.
ISPCC – Jonathan’s Story – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FnD_nGacUAI
Jonathan has been volunteering with Childline by ISPCC since 2022 and takes calls from children who reach out to Childline when they need someone to listen. Jonathan himself used Childline’s 24/7 listening service when he was younger. He had become a carer for his younger siblings at an early age and phoned Childline when he didn’t know what to do. He said that he would call the listening service “usually when we were hungry or I didn’t know how we would pay the bills. I felt relief and safe knowing that I could ring Childline and there would be an adult I could talk to”.
The father-of-four feels that Childline’s listening services are “a lifeline for kids across Ireland”.
A Childine volunteer undergoes extensive training to enable them to support and empower children through the 24/7 listening service. The funds raised from Woodie’s Heroes will support the training of volunteers, ensuring that there is always someone available to listen when a child calls.
