Cork born adventurer and CUH Charity patron, Dr Clare O’ Leary begins her year by launching a ‘Call to Action’ for volunteers and donations to raise €1.5m for the refurbishment of the outdated Children’s Unit at the Cork University Hospital. This is the first time the Children’s Unit has appealed to the public for funds. Once The Children’s Appeal has reached its fundraising goal, the CUH Children’s Unit will become a single centre of excellence for children in the Munster region.

“People, businesses, clubs and schools can lend their support by joining forces with the CUH Charity as they organise events and activities throughout 2013. We welcome all ideas and events as we really want to reach new fundraising heights for the Children’s Unit this year” said Dr Clare O’ Leary.

The needs of the unit are simple and include such things as en-suite rooms, isolation rooms for children who are susceptible to infection, and comfortable folding out chairs for parents.

Dr Clare O’ Leary is famously known for being the first Irish woman to reach the South Pole and to climb Mount Everest. She now intends to channel this energy and enthusiasm into her work with the CUH Charity and is encouraging those who wish to challenge themselves during 2013, by taking up a new activity or by becoming a volunteer, to follow her lead and get involved with the CUH Charity.

Each year, 7,500 children, from 2 days old to 16 years of age are admitted to the Children’s Unit at CUH, 5,000 attend the Children’s Day Unit and 10,000 are seen in the out-patient department – making it one of busiest Children’s Units in the country. The Children’s Unit is a specialist centre for children with cystic fibrosis (90 children), diabetes (>400 children), neurology / epilepsy, endocrinology and allergy as well as providing care for children with a broad range of medical and surgical conditions.

For further information on how to support the Children’s Appeal please contact Joe Browne at joe@cuhcharity.ie  or by phone on 021 4234529 (Mon to Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm or after hours call 087 638 7070). For further information go to www.cuhcharity.ie or follow Cork University Hospital Charity on Facebook.

Donations can be made directly by logging on to http://www.mycharity.ie/charity/cuh/