Requested Special Days Out:
Each year we receive many requests to provide special days out for sick children, from doctors, carers, nurses etc, for those that may have stopped responding to medical treatment or are suffering depression from their illness or those that require a boost to help them through a crisis in their lives.
We can't respond to every request received however a lot depends on the medical aspect, their suitability to take part in events planned, cross reactivity in certain environments, dietary and many other criteria.
The Following are a few of our special days out:
We can't respond to every request received however a lot depends on the medical aspect, their suitability to take part in events planned, cross reactivity in certain environments, dietary and many other criteria.
The Following are a few of our special days out:
Rebecca's Birthday Surprise
This is how the whole thing unfolded.
We received this request early in the week.
Peter following the chat on the phone I would really like if you could make a surprise dream come true.
We have a patient who will be 14 on the 31st of August which she will more than likely spend yet again, in hospital.
She has spent the last 3 birthdays in hospital.
She has Cystic Fibrosis. and she is having a very hard time at the moment, she is only having short spells at home and then back to hospital.
She is really beginning to hate hospital and everything related to hospital.
I feel if we could do something nice for her she might accept her need to be in hospital and look at this as positive and fun.
What I was suggesting is a limo pick up with 3 of her friends hiding in it, a trip to Weston Aerodrome and then a helicopter trip to Avon Rí with stop off for Lunch with her 3 friends then back to Weston by helicopter and then back to Tallaght hospital.
We as the team working with Rebecca would love to see her get a fab treat for her birthday.
Her consultant has given me permission to organise.
P.S. She is a child looking at a transplant in the very near future.
I really hope you can help.
Catherine Garland
Senior Hospital Play Specialist
National Children's Hospital
Tallaght
___________________________________________________
To try and assist us in organising a special day out we asked for more details about Rebecca her favourite things and likes.
We did a teenager survey with Rebecca (my student needed it for her course)
Favourite music R+B Rhianna
colour Blue
Actor Jack Gleeson
Games monopoly
Film Forrest Grump
Clothes Jeans, Hoodies, Abercrombie and Hollister
shoes converse
Peter I hope this helps
__________________________________________________________
Hi Peter just an idea of some stuff Rebecca is in to.
Anything to do with Zombies, especially a Zombie costume for dressing up in.
Funky animal slippers/ house coat/ Pyjamas Size 5 Size Lady small
Track suits Abercrombie + Fitch size Lady Small
She also loves her dog - a few treats for doggie
She loves to read - an E reader
Anything to do with Game of thrones
Any teenager DVDS
Hope this helps
Catherine
____________________________________________
Well this is what we have planned:
Pick up from Tallaght Hospital in a pink stretch limousine with 3 of her friends at 8am.
We have several little presents for her.
A New Tablet (thanks to Back from the future)
A hamper of doggie treats (thanks to PetStop carrickmines)
A voucher for a new Crombie & Fitch tracksuit etc etc.
Rebecca and her friends will be whisked off to Weston Aerodrome with an escort (thanks to an Garda Siochana Traffic Corp)
where they will have breakfast (thanks to The Weston Restaurant)
After breakfast they travel by helicopter (not to Avon Rí but to Ballycastle in Co Antrim)
They will be met by McComb's Travel who have organised a tour of the 4 sites used in recording 'Game of Thrones'
they will have a meal in The Marine Hotel Ballycastle before returning by helicopter to Weston Aerodrome where some High Powered cars will take them back with an escort.
RTE will be covering the event and it will be an item on the 6.01 News and also the 9 O'Clock News
Watch out for photographs of events throughout the day on Facebook and on our website.
This is how the whole thing unfolded.
We received this request early in the week.
Peter following the chat on the phone I would really like if you could make a surprise dream come true.
We have a patient who will be 14 on the 31st of August which she will more than likely spend yet again, in hospital.
She has spent the last 3 birthdays in hospital.
She has Cystic Fibrosis. and she is having a very hard time at the moment, she is only having short spells at home and then back to hospital.
She is really beginning to hate hospital and everything related to hospital.
I feel if we could do something nice for her she might accept her need to be in hospital and look at this as positive and fun.
What I was suggesting is a limo pick up with 3 of her friends hiding in it, a trip to Weston Aerodrome and then a helicopter trip to Avon Rí with stop off for Lunch with her 3 friends then back to Weston by helicopter and then back to Tallaght hospital.
We as the team working with Rebecca would love to see her get a fab treat for her birthday.
Her consultant has given me permission to organise.
P.S. She is a child looking at a transplant in the very near future.
I really hope you can help.
Catherine Garland
Senior Hospital Play Specialist
National Children's Hospital
Tallaght
___________________________________________________
To try and assist us in organising a special day out we asked for more details about Rebecca her favourite things and likes.
We did a teenager survey with Rebecca (my student needed it for her course)
Favourite music R+B Rhianna
colour Blue
Actor Jack Gleeson
Games monopoly
Film Forrest Grump
Clothes Jeans, Hoodies, Abercrombie and Hollister
shoes converse
Peter I hope this helps
__________________________________________________________
Hi Peter just an idea of some stuff Rebecca is in to.
Anything to do with Zombies, especially a Zombie costume for dressing up in.
Funky animal slippers/ house coat/ Pyjamas Size 5 Size Lady small
Track suits Abercrombie + Fitch size Lady Small
She also loves her dog - a few treats for doggie
She loves to read - an E reader
Anything to do with Game of thrones
Any teenager DVDS
Hope this helps
Catherine
____________________________________________
Well this is what we have planned:
Pick up from Tallaght Hospital in a pink stretch limousine with 3 of her friends at 8am.
We have several little presents for her.
A New Tablet (thanks to Back from the future)
A hamper of doggie treats (thanks to PetStop carrickmines)
A voucher for a new Crombie & Fitch tracksuit etc etc.
Rebecca and her friends will be whisked off to Weston Aerodrome with an escort (thanks to an Garda Siochana Traffic Corp)
where they will have breakfast (thanks to The Weston Restaurant)
After breakfast they travel by helicopter (not to Avon Rí but to Ballycastle in Co Antrim)
They will be met by McComb's Travel who have organised a tour of the 4 sites used in recording 'Game of Thrones'
they will have a meal in The Marine Hotel Ballycastle before returning by helicopter to Weston Aerodrome where some High Powered cars will take them back with an escort.
RTE will be covering the event and it will be an item on the 6.01 News and also the 9 O'Clock News
Watch out for photographs of events throughout the day on Facebook and on our website.
The Following is written by Rebecca.
Having an amazing day, thrilled to be spending my birthday with the best family and friends in the world and peter and the crew too.
Gerry was so kind to fly myself, my sister and best friend to an amazing family in Ballycastle allowing us to touchdown on their land right
on the coast - to be greeted and shocked to see my Mam, Catherine and two best friends waiting to meet the helicopter.
Thanks to the best two drivers.
We are in the middle of a private tour of the 'Game of Thrones' sites, something I've wanted to do for ages - Our tour guide is Patrick.
Had a fab dinner in the Marine Hotel Ballycastle. I've left out so much, just so much has happened.
Garda escort stopping traffic for me in my pink stretch Hummer.
Thanks to everyone it's a day I'll never forget.
This just in from Catherine Daly
Hi Peter, what a fanastic day Rebecca was up at 7am bouncing to go to school having dreamt of fast cars last night, what a result for a brilliant day.
I really can't thank you enough and all your team for the time, thought and concern that went in to organising the best day of Rebecca's life.
Georgine would like all the addresses of the people involved drivers, pilot, weston, peter, limo, star troupers, Police and anyone else that was involved she would like to send them a personal thank you.
THANKS AGAIN
Catherine
Having an amazing day, thrilled to be spending my birthday with the best family and friends in the world and peter and the crew too.
Gerry was so kind to fly myself, my sister and best friend to an amazing family in Ballycastle allowing us to touchdown on their land right
on the coast - to be greeted and shocked to see my Mam, Catherine and two best friends waiting to meet the helicopter.
Thanks to the best two drivers.
We are in the middle of a private tour of the 'Game of Thrones' sites, something I've wanted to do for ages - Our tour guide is Patrick.
Had a fab dinner in the Marine Hotel Ballycastle. I've left out so much, just so much has happened.
Garda escort stopping traffic for me in my pink stretch Hummer.
Thanks to everyone it's a day I'll never forget.
This just in from Catherine Daly
Hi Peter, what a fanastic day Rebecca was up at 7am bouncing to go to school having dreamt of fast cars last night, what a result for a brilliant day.
I really can't thank you enough and all your team for the time, thought and concern that went in to organising the best day of Rebecca's life.
Georgine would like all the addresses of the people involved drivers, pilot, weston, peter, limo, star troupers, Police and anyone else that was involved she would like to send them a personal thank you.
THANKS AGAIN
Catherine
Cameron Pepper's big day out
Hi all
Yesterday we helped with a special treat for Cameron Pepper age 7 from Tallaght who got some bad news last week about his brain tumour.
Cameron wanted to go to the Zoo. So after making his Communion at home we arrived with a Sheriff stretch limo. And thanks to Richie Faulkner and his friends arrived with some fancy sports cars including an AMG Mercedes, not one but two Aston Martins and a Corvett.
Off we went with police escort to the Zoo, where we were met by the keepers who took what appeared to be the whole extended family and friends around the zoo.
After a quick bite to eat in the Zoo we returned to Fettercairn in Tallaght where the local community had organised a party.
An extra surprise was when we got back to Fettercairn the local Fire-brigades were there to take Cameron out with full sirens blasting.
Then the music began with a disco till late. Congratulations to all who made this day so much fun.
Yesterday we helped with a special treat for Cameron Pepper age 7 from Tallaght who got some bad news last week about his brain tumour.
Cameron wanted to go to the Zoo. So after making his Communion at home we arrived with a Sheriff stretch limo. And thanks to Richie Faulkner and his friends arrived with some fancy sports cars including an AMG Mercedes, not one but two Aston Martins and a Corvett.
Off we went with police escort to the Zoo, where we were met by the keepers who took what appeared to be the whole extended family and friends around the zoo.
After a quick bite to eat in the Zoo we returned to Fettercairn in Tallaght where the local community had organised a party.
An extra surprise was when we got back to Fettercairn the local Fire-brigades were there to take Cameron out with full sirens blasting.
Then the music began with a disco till late. Congratulations to all who made this day so much fun.
Less than 2 weeks later: It is with deep sadness that we learnt of
Cameron's passing. He was the most important an bravest little man in Fettercairne. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. My he rest in peace. The involvement of Dublin Fire Brigade was recently featured in an RTE TV program called 'Fire Fighters' episode 6. |
Abie's Special Weekend

Hello to everyone at the bubblegum club.
I am a community nurse working with a young girl in our area for the last 6 years, I would love for her and her Mum to have the opportunity to have a nice breakaway together. Abie (age 9) was born with an extremely rare condition called Congenital Sleep Hypoventilation Syndrome (the only person in The Republic of Ireland with this illness) which requires her to be ventilated every time she sleeps, also she has a tracheostomy to facilitate this ventilation, she needs these to stay alive. She currently has a night nurse every night in her home to supervise this ventilation while she sleeps, and has very little other support. She really is as bright as a button when she is up and about and always asks me when they can go on a holiday. Abie lived in hospital until she was 2, 4 days a week until age 3, 5 days a week until age 4. She is now home on a permanent basis but due to both medical and financial circumstances they have never managed to have even an overnight away. I would love for them to have some 'fun' as mother & daughter. If you think you could help them please let me know.
Thanking You,
The Bubblegum Club were particularly touched by this request and we liaised with the community nurse and Abie's medical team and she fit the criteria the following is the weekend out we arranged.
Today Abie and her Mum, Rose, will be starting their amazing weekend in Dublin. Neither of them knows what’s in store. Rose will wake Abie this morning and tell her that they are off on an adventure.
They will start their day at 10am as VIP guests at Dublin Zoo, followed by lunch in the Meerkat restaurant (Abie has never been to the zoo before nor had any sort of holiday). Then off to The 4 star Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, who are kindly putting up Abie, her Mum and nurse, free of charge for the weekend.
After check in and some R&R, Abie and the gang are off to Milano for dinner, where the chef will teach Abie how to make her own authentic Italian pizza for dinner. Then they are off to see the hit Broadway show, The Lion King, before retiring back to the hotel for the night.
I am a community nurse working with a young girl in our area for the last 6 years, I would love for her and her Mum to have the opportunity to have a nice breakaway together. Abie (age 9) was born with an extremely rare condition called Congenital Sleep Hypoventilation Syndrome (the only person in The Republic of Ireland with this illness) which requires her to be ventilated every time she sleeps, also she has a tracheostomy to facilitate this ventilation, she needs these to stay alive. She currently has a night nurse every night in her home to supervise this ventilation while she sleeps, and has very little other support. She really is as bright as a button when she is up and about and always asks me when they can go on a holiday. Abie lived in hospital until she was 2, 4 days a week until age 3, 5 days a week until age 4. She is now home on a permanent basis but due to both medical and financial circumstances they have never managed to have even an overnight away. I would love for them to have some 'fun' as mother & daughter. If you think you could help them please let me know.
Thanking You,
The Bubblegum Club were particularly touched by this request and we liaised with the community nurse and Abie's medical team and she fit the criteria the following is the weekend out we arranged.
Today Abie and her Mum, Rose, will be starting their amazing weekend in Dublin. Neither of them knows what’s in store. Rose will wake Abie this morning and tell her that they are off on an adventure.
They will start their day at 10am as VIP guests at Dublin Zoo, followed by lunch in the Meerkat restaurant (Abie has never been to the zoo before nor had any sort of holiday). Then off to The 4 star Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, who are kindly putting up Abie, her Mum and nurse, free of charge for the weekend.
After check in and some R&R, Abie and the gang are off to Milano for dinner, where the chef will teach Abie how to make her own authentic Italian pizza for dinner. Then they are off to see the hit Broadway show, The Lion King, before retiring back to the hotel for the night.

Abie, her Mum, Rose, her nurse, Carolyn, and Peter Harris
(founder and CEO of The Bubble Gum Club)
Outside the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire:
Many thanks to to Royal Marine in Dun Laoghaire for providing weekend accommodation:

Abie will be “Princess for a Day”
After breakfast at the hotel, Abie and Co. Will be collected by a pink Lincoln continental stretched limo, and given a Garda send off to the Dundrum Town Centre, where Abie and her Mum will be given €500 each to spend, with just 2 hours to spend it. This will be followed by Lunch in Harvey Nicks with cocktails and mocktails. After lunch, they are off to Peter Marks to have their hair done and Pink to have their nails done. We will have a camera man with us today to capture all the magic.
Dinner tonight will be in the fantastic Yo Thai restaurant in Mount Merrion, where they’ll be treated to Yo Thai's Teppan Yaki (Live Performance Cooking), truly a sight to behold. Then it’s back to the hotel to relax before another fun filled day tomorrow.
After breakfast at the hotel, Abie and Co. Will be collected by a pink Lincoln continental stretched limo, and given a Garda send off to the Dundrum Town Centre, where Abie and her Mum will be given €500 each to spend, with just 2 hours to spend it. This will be followed by Lunch in Harvey Nicks with cocktails and mocktails. After lunch, they are off to Peter Marks to have their hair done and Pink to have their nails done. We will have a camera man with us today to capture all the magic.
Dinner tonight will be in the fantastic Yo Thai restaurant in Mount Merrion, where they’ll be treated to Yo Thai's Teppan Yaki (Live Performance Cooking), truly a sight to behold. Then it’s back to the hotel to relax before another fun filled day tomorrow.

Day 3 of Abie’s weekend will begin with a visit to Mount Usher Gardens in Wicklow after breakfast.
Then it’s off to Newcastle Aerodrome, where a helicopter will be waiting to take the party on an aerial tour of beautiful Wicklow.
There will be VIP arrival at the Druids Glen Hotel and Resort and lunch will be in The Druids Glen Clubhouse.
This will be followed by a visit to Glenroe Farm, where Abie will have the chance to get up close to a wide variety of farm animals and pets, and enjoy the great outdoors.
After returning to the hotel for a little rest, dinner will be in Yung’s Chinese restaurant in Dun Laoghaire, Chinese is a favourite of Abie’s and Yung’s restaurant is never one to disappoint.
Then it’s off to Newcastle Aerodrome, where a helicopter will be waiting to take the party on an aerial tour of beautiful Wicklow.
There will be VIP arrival at the Druids Glen Hotel and Resort and lunch will be in The Druids Glen Clubhouse.
This will be followed by a visit to Glenroe Farm, where Abie will have the chance to get up close to a wide variety of farm animals and pets, and enjoy the great outdoors.
After returning to the hotel for a little rest, dinner will be in Yung’s Chinese restaurant in Dun Laoghaire, Chinese is a favourite of Abie’s and Yung’s restaurant is never one to disappoint.

To wrap up Abie’s weekend, herself, Mum, nurse and Peter Harris (CEO and Founder of The Bubblegum Club)
will be heading to the TV3 studios today after breakfast.
They will discuss her illness on the Morning Show with Martin and Sybil - be sure to check out the video by clicking the link below.
It's the first item in the show (after the adverts).
http://www.tv3.ie/3player/show/155/63472/1/The-Morning-Show
will be heading to the TV3 studios today after breakfast.
They will discuss her illness on the Morning Show with Martin and Sybil - be sure to check out the video by clicking the link below.
It's the first item in the show (after the adverts).
http://www.tv3.ie/3player/show/155/63472/1/The-Morning-Show
Cian Coleman's special day

At around 6pm we met Peter from The Bubblegum club who escorted us all to the o2.
At around 8pm we all got into meet Ed Sheeran.
This was absolutely amazing as he is my favourite artist.
Ed was so calm and welcoming.
He autographed our Concert tickets and my CD and allowed us to take photos.
As we were leaving Ed gave me a big hug and said see you soon.
We then took up our positions for the concert. At around 9pm he came on stage.
I knew he would be amazing in concert but he was 10 times better than I expected!
We all had a brilliant night and chatted until 4am about the events of the day.
At around 8pm we all got into meet Ed Sheeran.
This was absolutely amazing as he is my favourite artist.
Ed was so calm and welcoming.
He autographed our Concert tickets and my CD and allowed us to take photos.
As we were leaving Ed gave me a big hug and said see you soon.
We then took up our positions for the concert. At around 9pm he came on stage.
I knew he would be amazing in concert but he was 10 times better than I expected!
We all had a brilliant night and chatted until 4am about the events of the day.
We got up for breakfast the next morning and met Peter and Richard.
After breakfast Richard and six of his friends brought us out to the car park where 7 sports cars were waiting to take us out to Weston Airport.
There was a Garda Jeep and two motorbikes waiting to escort us to the airport.
After breakfast Richard and six of his friends brought us out to the car park where 7 sports cars were waiting to take us out to Weston Airport.
There was a Garda Jeep and two motorbikes waiting to escort us to the airport.

After this I got to go in the Ford GT while my sister Hannah and friends got to go in a Tuscan TVR, Ferrari F355 GTS, Ferrari 308, Ferrari, Aston Martin Vanquish, Porche Carrera 4S.
We then proceeded to Weston Airport where my sister Hannah, my cousin Elisha and I got to have a "spin" in a helicopter (OH-6 Cayuse) which was used in the Vietnam war.
We then proceeded to Weston Airport where my sister Hannah, my cousin Elisha and I got to have a "spin" in a helicopter (OH-6 Cayuse) which was used in the Vietnam war.
We also got a tour of the Control Tower. I was never in a helicopter before so it was a new experience for me.
We then got into the various cars again and got dropped back to our hotel.
We then got into the various cars again and got dropped back to our hotel.

We then headed to Funderland in the RDS where we spent a few hours going on different Amusement rides.
By the end of the weekend we were exhausted but it is safe to say that it was one of the best (if not the best) weekend ever.
I would like to thank Peter (Bubblegum Club), Jimmy (captain of the boat), Richard and all his mates (car drivers) Ray (helicopter pilot) and Gardai escort team who all made this a wonderful weekend for us all.
Thank you.
I would like to say a special thanks to my Aunty Laura, who through her negotiations, made this weekend come to pass. She worked with Peter to ensure that my family, friends and I had a special time.
It's a weekend I'll remember for a long time.
Cian
A short time later we heard Cian had passed away, R.I.P.
I would like to thank Peter (Bubblegum Club), Jimmy (captain of the boat), Richard and all his mates (car drivers) Ray (helicopter pilot) and Gardai escort team who all made this a wonderful weekend for us all.
Thank you.
I would like to say a special thanks to my Aunty Laura, who through her negotiations, made this weekend come to pass. She worked with Peter to ensure that my family, friends and I had a special time.
It's a weekend I'll remember for a long time.
Cian
A short time later we heard Cian had passed away, R.I.P.