The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation on LinkedIn: #upthehill24 #celebratejonathan #jackandjill #communityheroes… (2024)

A Tribute to Jonathan Irwin, May He Rest in Peace21 June 1941 - 10 December 2023 We are very sad to announce the death of Jonathan Irwin, our wonderful brave and kind Founder of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, who passed away this morning, after a short illness.Jonathan (82) has led a wonderful life that has touched and supported so many families and he never tired of helping others, right up until the end.Jonathan is survived by his wife Mary Ann O'Brien and their children Lily, Phonsie, Molly and predeceased by sons Jack and John; he is also sadly missed by his first wife Mikaela and their sons Pirate, Jago, Luke and predeceased by their son Sam.He was so very proud of his grandchildren Otis, Violet, Iris and Xanthia. Jonathan turned his grief and his vision into support for others.“What else can I do?” he’d often say.That vision became a reality of a home nursing care model in his son Jack's name that has supported 2,964 children across the country over the last 26 years and counting, without any means test, red tape or waiting list.Jonathan was our Chief Fundraiser, our Chief Ambassador, who had true grit, charm and compassion in spades.Jonathan Irwin was charisma personified. From an Anglo-Irish background of actors and academics, this Eton educated, Trinity drop-out had what he himself called “a glittering career” in several roles. Bloodstock agent, auction house boss, announcer, publisher, racecourse executive and more. He worked for BBA Ireland, The Turf Club and Goffs – where he dreamt up and introduced the Cartier Million, Europe’s Richest race and the first IR£1 million sports event in Europe.He was also involved in Dublin International Sports Council and the Special Olympics and, more recently, the ‘Horses of Hope’ Equine Centre at Castlerea Prison.However, none of these roles, he said, was more challenging or rewarding than his role with Jack and Jill, where he advocated on behalf of family carers with all his might.Jonathan won many awards over the years including Irish and Global Fundraiser of the Year, PR Excellence Award, a People of the Year Award and he was made Fellow of the Faculty of Paediatrics and received a Knighthood of St Lazarus.But, for this brilliant storyteller, the best reward was the feedback from the families about the difference that Jack and Jill made.Never one to retire, he always stayed in touch, and we were very glad to have him at our recent staff Strategy Day in Kilkenny where he received a standing ovation.When the shock waves subside a little, we will share our memories of Jonathan and the many tributes already rolling in.He was unique. Articulate, charismatic, debonair, persuasive, driven, imaginative, flamboyant; a true one-off and the ultimate showman.May He Rest in Peace.

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Our second abseil of the summer at Dalkey Quarry was a thrilling success! These brave abseilers descended 35 meters, all to support the 400 Jack and Jill families across Ireland. 🌟🧗♂️🧡We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who participated. Your courage was inspiring. Together, we generated over 160 hours of vital at-home nurse and respite care for Jack and Jill families. 🧡Shout out to Bernie, our Retail area Manager, it was amazing to have someone from #TeamJUackandJill take on our abseil! 💪🧡 Jack & Jill Charity Boutique We’re also incredibly grateful to our corporate participants:Henderson Foodservice Ltd.Canada LifeCIRCLE K IRELANDAbbott Lyreco GroupAnd a special shoutout to our Dalkey Abseil ambassador, Gerry Hussey! 🙌#TeamJackandJill #SupportLocal #CommunityHeroes #JackandJillAdventures #ThankYou

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Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there, especially to our #TeamJackandJill dads! 🌟Wishing everyone a day filled with joy, laughter, and precious family moments! 🎉❤️Sending warm wishes to all our Jack and Jill families and supporters. Enjoy this special day with your loved ones. 💖#HappyFathersDay #TeamJackandJill #FamilyLove #CommunityMatters

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🎟️ Enter https://lnkd.in/eZVrPdkT Link in Bio ✨Only 13 days left to enter our raffle for a chance to win tickets to Taylor Swift's concert at the Aviva Stadium on June 28th! 🎤✨ Teddy Jill's lucky number is 13, just like Taylor Swift's! Could today be your lucky day? 🍀Enter the raffle for just €10 to win and support the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation. 🎟️#TaylorSwift #SupportJackandJill #JackandJillTeddies

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🎉 Family Fun Day 2024 Gallery of images now live on our website! 📸See Here: https://lnkd.in/eBepV44dThis day last week, one of the highlights of the year for Team Jack and Jill took place at Palmerstown House Estate in Naas.A massive thank you to everyone who made this day a huge success! 🙌❤️Family Fun Day is all about community, bringing together families who navigate uphill challenges every day to connect, build relationships, and most importantly, have some fun! 🧡👨👩👧👦#JackandJill #FamilyFunDay #GiftofTime #ThankYou #SupportLocal

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🎉 The Glenveagh Shop Takeover is finally here! 🎉 The 3 teams competing are Newbridge, Artane, and Portlaoise! Come out and support your local Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques and donate to help them win! 🏆 They’ll be there all day with support from Nearfm90.3, KFM radio, and Midlands103. Such an exciting day—come cheer on the amazing Glenveagh Properties plc volunteers! 🙌🧡🌞 Support each team here:Newbridge 💚 https://lnkd.in/eaheWUh8Artane 💙 https://lnkd.in/eAHU3UyFPortlaoise ❤️ https://lnkd.in/eREGcAgP#TeamJackandJill #Glenveagh #Volunteers #SupportLocal #DonateLocal

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Here's to the winning team! 🏆🎉This Friday, over 30 Glenveagh Properties plc staff volunteers will go head-to-head in an epic competition! They’ll be taking over three Jack and Jill charityboutiques in Artane, Newbridge, and Portlaoise, all competing to see who can raise the most funds for local Jack and Jill families! 🙌Good luck to all three teams tomorrow! We hope everyone can come out and support their local Glenveagh team. From pre-loved designer goods to budget-friendly clothing and accessories, you won't want to miss this! Each boutique will be packed with amazing items and raffle prizes, all to support Jack and Jill.Come out and support your local Jack and Jill charity boutique and help your Glenveagh team win! 🏆🧡#TeamJackandJill #Glenveagh #Volunteers #SupportLocal #DonateLocal

Abseil for Jack and Jill on July 12th at Croke Park! 🧗♂️🧡 There's still time to join and fundraise for over 400 Jack and Jill families across Ireland!We can't wait to cheer on all the brave abseilers! 💪✨For more info: https://lnkd.in/ee8MF8_7#TeamJackandJill #CrokeParkAbseil #SupportLocal #DonateLocal #CommunityHeroes #JackandJillAdventures

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Join us on Friday, June 21st, from 6pm at The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare, as we come together to celebrate the life and legacy of our remarkable founder, Jonathan Irwin. 🌟 Looking forward to honouring the profound impact Jonathan and Mary Ann made through Jack and Jill, which has gone on to support over 3,000 families in communities across Ireland, all in their son, Jack’s name. 🧡 For tickets visit: https://lnkd.in/er4vFxWi #UptheHill24 #CelebrateJonathan #JackandJill #CommunityHeroes #SupportLocal #CommunityMatters

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