They had hoped to raise €100,000 for the fundraising page to help support the families of sick children around Ireland. This is fantastic to see.
A GoFundMe page set up by Munster rugby star Billy Holland and his wife Lanlih has raised more than €300,000 after the couple’s appearance on The Late Late Show last night.
They had set up the fundraising page to help support the families of sick children around Ireland.
Billy and Lanlih spoke to host Ryan Tubridy about the phenomenal care their baby daughter Emmeline had received at CHI at Crumlin before losing her battle last year at just six months old.
Donations to the page soared following their fundraising appeal on air, with over €300,000 currently donated to their Brave Like Emmeline Holland fundraiser.
The couple will divide the funds raised between CHI at Crumlin, Cork University Hospital (children’s wards) and the Ronald McDonald House.
Billy and Lanlih had hoped to raise €100,000.
Last night’s Late Late Show paid tribute to the incredible patients, families and staff at CHI at Crumlin in Dublin, where tens of thousands of children from all over Ireland are treated every year as emergency, inpatient and outpatient attendees. During the segments, viewers also had the opportunity to support staff and patients at Crumlin by donating €4 by texting “Crumlin” to 50300.
Sophie Barnes Aabo from November’s Late Late Toy Show, who brought the nation to tears speaking about her brother Cian, who is receiving treatment the children’s hospital, also joined Ryan last night, as did a number of other families who have had first hand experience with the hospital.
Ryan Tubridy said they were “overwhelmed by the support and generosity” of the viewers of the Late Late Show following last night’s episode.
“As we gathered in the green room after the show last night, we watched in awe as the donations kept coming in, the Irish public’s generosity knows no bounds,” he continued.
“We all wanted to acknowledge and give thanks to these incredible families, attending these wards day in, day out, and the phenomenal, constant and unparalleled dedication and work that takes place at CHI at Crumlin and throughout of Ireland’s children’s wards.
“People looking on last night knew that these stories could be any person’s story, could knock on any of our doors, that these supports are vital. When the call came, the Late Late Show viewers answered…and then some.”
The family have now launched a campaign to raise funds for the families of sick children and to support Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Cork University Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.
You can contribute to the Brave Like Emmeline fundraiser here.
Clip via The Late Late Show
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