€7,500 raised in memory of Alfie
A tea party in memory of a baby boy who died aged only two hours old raised an amazing €7,500 for Feileacáin, the (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland SANDAI).
Alfie Dunne died two hours after he was born in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, at 34 weeks, four days on May 22 of this year. A fantastic fundraiser was recently held in the community centre in Terrerath in his name, where copious amounts of tea, coffee and delicious cakes were enjoyed.
Alfie’s parents Lorene and Dwayne Dunne from Kilbraney, Gusserane, were thrilled to see hundreds of people turning out to support their special fundraiser on a sunny autumn day. There were great fun games for children including guessing how many balloons you can fit into a car. ‘122 and someone guessed it!’ Lorene said.
There was soccer shot games, face painting, a bouncy castle, a DJ and amazing cakes created by some of the county’s most talented bakers. Lorene donated the remaining cakes to Wexford Women’s Refuge the following day. She thanked all the local businesses who donated prizes.
Mum-of-one Lorene, 31, said Feileacáin meant everything to her and Dwayne when Alfie died.
‘I wanted to give something back. Up until what happened Alfie I had never heard of Feileacáin. Unfortunately it did come to our door and it will probably come to many other doors as well. Without them we really wouldn’t have gotten through the last few months.
‘ There was someone from Feileacáin there with us straight away to give us a beautiful memory box which meant so much at that time and that just carried us through and helped us get on with our lives. When you go through something like that there are no words. Even though we knew the prognosis wasn’t good, you are always hoping.’
She said the gift of a cuddle cot meant so much to her and Dwayne.
‘ They do all this for free. It’s a not-for-profit organisation. They also provided counselling to me and are available online or over the phone. It would be great if there was a Wexford representative.’
Feileacáin is a not for profit organisation that aims to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after.
The organisation was formed by a group of bereaved parents who supported each other after the death of their own babies and have now come together to formally offer support to other parents and families who find themselves in a similar situation. The aims of Feileacain include: to provide hospitals with our memory boxes to be given to bereaved families, to offer a befriending service and a support helpline.