Some €3.5 million in voluntary donations was received by Ireland's only hospice for children in 2017.

Over 3,800 children in Ireland are currently living with life-limiting conditions and more than 700 of these are estimated to require specialist hospice care.

LauraLynn provides clinical care, healthcare support and palliative care services to children with exceptional and life-limiting conditions. In early December 2017, the organisation was facing a funding shortfall of €750,000, however it managed to reach its fundraising target of €3.5 million by the end of the year.

"We are thrilled that the efforts of our supporters have helped us to reach our annual fundraising target and we extend our warmest, sincere thanks to them. It is fantastic that throughout the year so many volunteers partake in fundraising events to ensure we can meet the cost of providing healthcare support and palliative care services to children throughout Ireland," commented LauraLynn interim CEO, Rachel Nolan.

However, she pointed out that the organisation begins 2018 ‘at a low base, needing to raise over €4 million to provide care to even more sick children and families'.

"We know it is a huge commitment by our LauraLynn families, supporters, donors, volunteers and employees to fundraise on our behalf every year and I want them to know that their efforts are making a real difference to many, many families throughout the country," Ms Nolan said.

For more information on LauraLynn, click here