Women across Ireland will be stripping off this St Patricks' Day to raise funds for sick children.
Ladies are being asked to get their kits off and brave the cold water in aid of CHI at Crumlin.
The 'dip in the nip' fundraiser is being organised by Sinead O'Brien, mum of brave 6-year-old Penny.
In 2020, Penny was diagnosed with Osteosaracoma, which is a very rare form of bone cancer and she received treatment in St John's ward in CHI Crumlin.
The women are aiming to raise €120,000 with donations being split between Children's Health Foundation Crumlin and the Cancer Care Fund for Children at Daisy Lodge in Mayo.
Penny’s mum Sinead said: "Once in CHI at Crumlin, Penny had a biopsy, when the results came back the medical team confirmed that she had Osteosarcoma. Life changed in that week. Within a couple of days of the diagnosis Penny started her treatment.
"She had ten months of chemotherapy and was in St. John’s ward. In September of 2020, she had limb saving surgery. She had the tumour together with some of the bone removed and replaced with a prosthetic, she was in St. Michael’s ward for this.
"The medical team started physiotherapy straight away, she was up and walking within two days. "
In March 2021, Penny finished her chemo treatments and rang the bell to celebrate being cancer free.
Sinead said: "The staff and her pals lined the corridor, it was a very special moment.”
Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation said: "From all of us in Children’s Health Foundation and on behalf of the staff and families in CHI hospitals and urgent care centres, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Penny, her family and friends for helping to raise the vital funds to help give every sick child every possible chance to survive, thrive and live to their potential.
"We would also like to thank every person that has donated and sponsored – your generosity will make a real difference for sick children.”
Penny and her mum are asking women to get involved and sign up for the ‘Dip in the Nip – In for a Penny’ via their idonate page, details can be found on the Children’s Health Foundation website www.childrenshealth.ie
To get involved or find out more, you can click here
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter.
