Golf’s No 1 star Rory McIlroy launched Daisy Lodge, the Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break centre in Newcastle, County Down.
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Young Caleb, a cancer sufferer, is the special guest who planted a daisy with Rory McIlroy.[/caption]
The facility, the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland, will provide every family affected by childhood cancer in Northern Ireland with a free therapeutic short break and also caters to families in the Republic of Ireland. This includes families nursing a child with cancer, bereaved families and families where a parent has been diagnosed with cancer.
McIlroy said: “Daisy Lodge is close to home and something I feel very strongly about. Being able to see what the Cancer Fund for Children has built for children and their families is fantastic. It’s great to see what a superb job people are doing here in getting people back on their feet after being diagnosed with cancer. The facilities and location are exceptional.
Daisy Lodge provides exhausted families with the chance to relax and spend quality time together. It features age-appropriate play areas, a games room and an outdoor playground as well as spa and gym facilities for the adults. Families can enjoy the majestic views of the stunning Mourne Mountains through the large lounge room windows and savour nutritious, home cooked meals. A team of experienced Specialists is available onsite to help families cope with the impact cancer has on their lives.
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Rory McIlroy is mobbed by eager children as he plants a daisy.[/caption]
Cancer Fund for Children’s Chief Executive Gillian Creevy, explained the importance of therapeutic short breaks. She said: “Families arrive at Daisy Lodge exhausted, vulnerable and broken having spent many anxious months in a hospital ward or in isolation. They are in need of rest, relaxation and quality time together. A short break at Daisy Lodge helps them recuperate so they are ready for whatever lies ahead.”
The Cancer Fund became an early beneficiary of Rory’s decision to start his own charitable Foundation. The Rory Foundation was established to offer support to charities with a special meaning for Rory.
Every week in Northern Ireland, another three children, teenagers or young adults aged between 0 and 24 years of age, are diagnosed with cancer. Established in 1973, Cancer Fund for Children is the leading, local cancer charity for children, young people and their families. Since February of this year, Daisy Lodge has welcomed 151 families to stay at the centre.
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Rory McIlroy officially opens Daisy Lodge in Newcastle accompanied by Cancer Fund for Children CEO Gilian McCreevy and young cancer sufferer Caleb.[/caption]
The facility has become a member of Taste of Ulster thanks to a commitment to provide fresh, nutritious and locally sourced meals. It has also been awarded a prestigious international Green Apple award for environmental sustainability and best practice and has won a Construction Excellence Award.
In addition, the PR campaign for the facility has been shortlisted for a CIPR Pride Award in the Not for Profit category.
For more information on Cancer Fund for Children and how to support the charity visit:
or email info@cancerfundforchildren.com
The Rory Foundation, established last year to offer support to charities with a special meaning and purpose for Rory, offered Cancer Fund for Children the opportunity to have their logo appear on Rory’s golf bag during his first European Tour event of 2013 in Abu Dhabi. With welcome media exposure highlighting the charity’s work with young people and families coping with the impact of cancer, the golf bag was later auctioned and the proceeds channelled towards the charity’s Daisy Lodge facility in Newcastle, County Down.
Since then, Rory, through his Foundation, has continued his interest in, and support of, the charity’s work. Indeed, following a series of events in Asia in the Autumn 2013, the pink golf shoes worn by Rory to highlight cancer awareness were auctioned with the proceeds again going to the charity. The 2015 Irish Open Hosted by The Rory Foundation will be held from May 28-31 in McIlroy’s native Northern Ireland at Royal County Down, a venue particularly close to the World Number One’s heart and where he made his final appearance as an amateur, in the 2007 Walker Cup.
The Rory Foundation will also become the tournament’s official charity, with the beneficiaries to be chosen by the Foundation in conjunction with The European Tour.
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