Luca Keogh and mum Sarah helping to launch Tesco’s Lemonade and Lollipops campaign in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Photo by Keith Arkins
Lemonade and Lollipops stands will be popping up in Tesco stores across the country in a bid to raise vital funds for Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Tesco’s charity of the year. On Saturday, August 8, customers are invited to enjoy a cup of lemonade and a lollipop in their local Tesco store between 11am-5pm in return for a small donation to the children’s hospital.
One of Temple Street’s little patients, Luca Keogh (age four) from Newtown, Co Wicklow was on hand this week to help launch the Lemonade and Lollipops fundraiser. Luca has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) and spent the first 10 days of his life in Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Luca has a ‘shunt’ inserted into his brain to relieve pressure, without which he would die. Having endured 18 surgeries in his four short years, and having taken his first steps when he was told he would never walk, Luca has earned himself the nickname Super Luca.
Sarah Keogh, Luca’s mum said, “Since the day he was born, Temple Street has played a huge part in Luca’s life – the team at Temple Street are brilliant with him and they have become an extension of our family, offering constant support and lots of laughs. Temple Street has saved my sons life over 10 times and I will never be able to thank them enough for that – but I can call on everyone across Wicklow to get down to their local Tesco store on Saturday, August 8 and support this great fundraiser for all the patients and the wonderful team at Temple Street.”
To date, the charity partnership has helped purchase over €550, 000 worth of equipment including €50, 000 worth of respiratory equipment for the neonatal ward, six patient monitors for theatre recovery worth over €120, 000 and four anaesthetic patient monitors for intensive care costing over €100, 000. The Lemonade and Lollipops event aims to raise €100, 000 to buy equipment that will be of significant benefit in cleft palate and speech operations, helping change the lives of thousands of little patients across the country.
Denise Fitzgerald, CEO Temple Street Foundation said, “Our Cleft Lip and Palate Team are exceptional, but our equipment is old. The microscope that we hope to purchase from funds raised at Tesco’s Lemonade and Lollipops fundraiser will allow our surgeons greater visualisation and understanding, significantly aiding some of the 7, 000 surgeries we perform each year in Temple Street.”
Christine Heffernan, Corporate Affairs Director Tesco Ireland said, “Having Temple Street as our charity partner has given us insight into the incredible work that the hospital does on a daily basis for children across Ireland. Our 15, 000 colleagues are hugely motivated to support the hospital’s fundraising efforts, having seen the tangible difference these events can make to children’s lives. So, we are asking families, local communities, customers and passers-by to please pop in to their local store on the day and help us deliver this vital piece of equipment to the hospital.”
The Lemonade and Lollipops event will take place in all 149 Tesco stores on August 8 between 11am and 5pm with 100% of funds raised on the day going to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Tesco’s Charity of the Year. For further information please visit the Tesco website.
