Children’s Hospice Week 2025 is the only time in the year dedicated to raising awareness for children’s hospice and palliative care in Ireland. LauraLynn as Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice leads out on the week.
This year’s theme, ‘Every Step, Every Challenge, Together’, reflects the journey families take when caring for a child with palliative care needs and the vital role that LauraLynn plays in walking that path alongside them.
As part of this year’s campaign Malgosia’s family from Limerick generously shared their story in the official Children’s Hospice Week video. Their heartfelt contribution offers a powerful glimpse into the everyday challenges and moments of joy experienced by families supported by LauraLynn.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD also officially launched the campaign at Government Buildings. The Taoiseach met with Cillian and his family, who are also helping to shine a light on the realities faced by families caring for a child with life-limiting conditions.
Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said:
"I was honoured to meet Cillian, his family and representatives of LauraLynn. Families who use LauraLynn face immense challenges across every aspect of their lives. As a government we have committed to investing in palliative care to achieve full national coverage of hospice and community services; to developing a new national policy on palliative care for children and to increasing funding to children’s hospice care. As Children’s Hospice Week kicks off, we say to families caring for a child with palliative care needs, we understand the challenges in your everyday life, and we will continue to support you."
To mark the week, LauraLynn released findings from two new national surveys that offer a powerful insight into the emotional, psychological, financial, and administrative challenges families face. The results are stark:
- 84% of families feel isolated in their caregiving role
- 95% feel overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities
- 86% wish they had more time to be a parent rather than a carer
- 83% worry about not spending enough time with their other children
- 91% have had to reduce their working hours
- Families spend an average of 17.5 hours per week on administrative tasks related to their child’s care
These findings highlight the immense pressures families are under- pressures that go far beyond the medical needs of their child. They speak to the emotional toll, the financial strain, and the sheer exhaustion that many families experience every day.
LauraLynn CEO, Kerry McLaverty, said:
"Children’s Hospice Week is a time to share what we’ve learned about the lived experience of families of children with life limiting illnesses. At LauraLynn it is so important for us to ask, listen to and understand what our families really need to make things a little bit better for them. It helps us provide the right care and support through the toughest journey whether that be at the hospice, in hospital or in the comfort of a child’s home. Together with your support we can meet the needs of these wonderful children and families as best as possible. They deserve nothing less."
Since opening its doors in 2011, LauraLynn has supported over 911 children and their families from every county in Ireland.
This Children’s Hospice Week, LauraLynn is asking the public to help bring care and colour to families like Malgosia’s and Cillian’s by donating. Your support helps families spend precious time together, create lasting memories, and access the care they need — every step of the way.
To donate, please visit www.lauralynn.ie/chw
