My 17 year old sister Gillian is going into hospital today. She is getting her tonsils out and I know it's a relatively straightforward and routine operation but it is still a really big deal. Everybody who has ever had an operation knows how scary it can be and how worried your family are. Now imagine a very young child who is so brave and strong and is going for their second or third operation when all they want to do is go home and get ready for Santa. The families of these children worry about them each day and support them so much by driving to Temple Street weekly, or more regularly, or perhaps living in the hospital with their son or daughter. These children and their families are so brave and strong and really really need our support. I am fundraising for Temple Street Children's hospital to help make the lives of these children and their families a little easier and to improve the hospital so that any operation or visit to the hospital is not as scary as it sounds. So, if you are doing the "12 pubs" over Christmas then do 11 and donate the price of your last pint to Temple Street (you probably won't need it at that stage anyway!). Or if you're doing some Christmas shopping, go home to your family earlier and donate the price of that impulse unnecessary present or cup of coffee! Or if you just have ever been to any hospital for any procedure and can imagine how scared a young child might be then please donate, even €2 will begin to make a difference!

Thank you all so much for supporting this great cause.

After a long day with great help from my family I counted up all of the small coins which I had forgotten amount to so much! €700 was raised from the generosity of the people shopping in Dunnes Stores, Childers Rd. Limerick on February 1st 2014.

The kindness and support of complete strangers was overwhelming and I appreciate the generous donations from everyone!

Thanks so much to all of my family for helping out, particularly my sister Gillian who should have been studying for her Pre-Leaving Cert exams but instead patiently and enthusiastically packed groceries all day.

Next up is a quiz in UCC with Niamh O'Neill so hopefully together we will raise some more vital funds!