The expense of travel, accommodation, etc, can be considerable. And when parents are unable to work due to their child’s illness, the everyday bills still need to be met and the other little ones in the family need to be cared for.
Applications for Heart Children funding must be made through the Social Work Team. Unfortunately, we do not accept direct applications.
Heart transplantation for paediatric patients is not available in Ireland. Under the HSE’s Treatment Abroad Scheme, the State will fund the cost of the procedure in the UK, plus hospital-based parent accommodation and travel expenses for the child and one parent. All other expenses must be met by the family. This can place a considerable financial burden on families. The Blue Ribbon Fund supports:
Applications for support from the Blue Ribbon Fund must be made to us by a Clinical Nurse Specialists/Medical Social worker at the Children’s Heart Centre, CHI Crumlin. Unfortunately, we do not accept direct applications.
Paul Gillen was a young man from Ballyroan in Dublin. He lived his short life battling CHD but, sadly, Paul passed away suddenly in his early twenties. Grieving his immense loss, his family established the Paul Gillen Fund to support other young people with CHD. The PG Fund supports adolescents (age 16-25 yrs) who are making the difficult transition from the familiar environment of CHI Crumlin where they have received care from birth, to attending adult CHD care in the Mater Hospital. The fund aims to support adolescents with the practical and emotional challenges of starting independent life while managing their illness.
Applications for support from the fund must be made by a Clinical Nurse Specialist/Medial Social worker at the Children’s Heart Centre, CHI Crumlin, or the Adult CHD Unit, Mater Hospital, Dublin. Unfortunately, we do not accept direct applications.
A €1,000 bursary awarded to one individual annually (age16- 25 yrs) with congenital, or childhood acquired, heart disease. The bursary will cover educational fees / tuition, training, equipment, or medical care costs, etc. The main criteria is that the need outlined should assist the applicant to achieve their full potential and enjoy life to it’s fullest.
• Equipment (e.g. art supplies, sporting equipment, musical instruments, technology)
• Tuition for specialist courses/training (e.g intensive programs/summer school programs)
• Competition, entry or audition Fees (to provide new opportunities to achieve your goals)
• Travel Costs
• Medical care
Please submit the following information by post or email to info@heartchildren.ie
• A personal statement outlining your skills/talent area, your reasons for applying, what you would use the funding to support.
• A copy of a recent utility bill or other documentation confirming your current name and address.
• A brief outline of your condition and medical history.
1. Applications must be permanent residents of Republic of Ireland.
2. The bursary applications will be considered on merit by the board of Heart Children together with a representative of the Gillen family.
3. All applications must be fully completed to be considered.
4. If further information or clarification is required regarding your application, you will be contacted by Heart Children staff.
5. The successful applicant will be contacted no longer than two weeks after the close of the application date. The award will be presented at a public ceremony and the applicant’s name and photo will be published on the Heart Children website & in social media.
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Heart Children is the national charity supporting people with congenital heart disease and their families. We are a community organisation providing our services free to members. We receive no government funding and rely on donations from supporters and the general public to carry out our work.
