Ailish Donnelly


Guys, wow!!! Just back from the winter wonderland in drimnagh castle today. AMAZING!!! We had the best day ever. Everything was perfect, your helpers there today were top class. Nothing was too much for them. And as for Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves- all fantastic.
Thank you all for a wonderful day and magical memories ​

Melissa Magee


First I heard about you. My son has just been invited to your autism friendly winter wonderland.
What wonderful people you are.

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Clark Griswold

wanted to say a huge thank you for the experience my son (Jack) and myself had at the winter wonderland, all the staff and the volunteers were brilliant, it was a day we will never forget........ thank you so much.

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Bernadette Clarke Cowzer

​The most wonderful kindest people one and all, they do fantastic work and are so helpful and happy.

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Vicky Murphy

Overwhelmed with the winter wonderland experience for my 4yr old son yesterday in Drimnagh Castle, it was organised so well with such attention to detail, the dedication of the volunteers was endless, nothing was too much trouble, feel extremly lucky to have been part of it, its an experience we as a family will forever treasure. You all do such amazing selfless work. Thank you so very much

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​Paula Brown 

Thank you very much for a very memorable day Aaron had a fabulous day it was a great event in Drimnagh castle yesterday the volunteers couldnt do enough for us.,

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Melissa McGee:

Paul with Santa. A big thank you to the Bubblegum Club for organising and holding today for children with Autism. Best and most realistic Santa I've seen.

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Caroline Drew Garvey:

Thank you so much for a wonderful day can't thank you all enough for the work you's do absolutely amazing.

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Vicky Murphy

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Paula Brown: 

Great day was had thank you for having us.

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Anthony Dempsey: 

A lot of very special moments were created at winter wonderland Drimnagh Castle, amazing news to see it returning to this magical venue.
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This year is our 21st year of the Winter Wonderland and if you were lucky enough to be picked by your hospital nurse/consultant we will be in Drimnagh Castle on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of December.

We hope you will enjoy yourself and have a safe journey - see you there.

This is written By Alison Chloe's Mother.
My name is Alison and I have two little girls named Ruby (9) and Chloe (7).

Chloe is the only person in Ireland suffering with a rare disease called Congenital Hemidysplasia with Ichthyosis Erythroderma and Limb defects.
A CHILD SYNDROME .

Chloe has complex medical needs and physical disabilities from head to toe .
Chloe requires baths, creams  and bandages to be applied twice daily and a wheelchair among other equipment .

Chloe is the bravest little girl in this world .
It is heartbreaking to watch my little girl suffer in pain and struggle with everyday tasks that many take for granted 24/7 and worst of all I cannot help her.

However Chloe is a determined , clever and a beautiful girl who never gives up and tries so hard to live a full life.

3 weeks ago my mam phoned me to tell me that she was made aware of " The Bubblegum Club " I had no knowledge of them at all .
I decided to investigate further on the internet and found contact details for the Bubblegum Club.

I spoke to Mr Peter Harris the founder and CEO and for the first time in years I felt excitement .

Peter talked to me about my situation and he delved into my two daughters interests and likes etc ... ( magic dolls,  pink cars, shopping, bouncy castles and a fascination with kids electric cars (as she is unable to ride a bike due to skeletal defects ).

At this stage I realised that Peter was a very selfless person and was willing to dedicate his personal time to help Chloe,
I would also like to say a huge thank you to Peter and his brother David for all their input and help to ensure our day was possible . I really appreciate David's commitment to make sure ill kids have an extra special day out to always remember.

Peter then came up with a plan ...

How about a private party for Ruby and Chloe with all the family and friends in Tallaght Adventure World. A special thanks goes out to Mr Dermot Richardson for all he did.

Peter went above and beyond for us. This is how our special magic day went , Ruby and Chloe knew about their party " ONLY " (the rest was kept as a surprise)

Saturday morning Ruby, Chloe and I met Peter in the Avon Ri.

Peter chatted away with Ruby and Chloe and suddenly began to present gifts to Ruby (Harry Potter uniforms, treasure chest , wand, magic spell book etc) and Chloe (Shimmer and shine doll - not available in Ireland, Chloe was very impressed - shimmer wig and shimmer school bag etc)

Both girls where gobsmacked !!!

Then Peter handed them a key to stay in the Avon Ri for 2 nights .... And take Monday off school ... a special word of thanks to Sinead at Avon Ri .

HMS Host Ireland and all their staff that made this magical day possible (they have collection boxes in all their outlets) I am very grateful for their generosity .

Then Peter gave us each a gift card each for €500 to spend as we pleased at Dundrum shopping centre .
At this stage the experience was surreal. I have never seen my girls faces so shocked and amazed.

To really have an impact Peter then suggested we go out to Tayto Park while waiting on their party in Tallaght Adventure World Saturday evening ... A big thank you to Emma Hanford in Tayto Park.

At this stage Chloe was certain that Peter was santa (he knew "everything" about her and even looked like him ?)

As were going to the car to Tayto Park, Peter said "wouldn't it be nice to go in a pink car"?

Then, a huge pink hummer limousine pulled up and we got in. A special thanks to AAA Limousines and Dave O'Donohoe .
We had the nicest/most patient  driver for the day named Doug ,,,, driving through Blessington village we noticed familiar faces at the bus stop .... Nana , Auntie Caroline and all the cousins were waiting for us .... The excitement was increasing.

We sang all the way to Tayto Park , We all had lunch there and then went on all the rides ....

Then we got back into the pink hummer limousine with Doug and headed to Tallaght Adventure world, on our arrival crowds lined the path cheering and clapping , Chloe waved out the window she felt so important.

All Ruby and Chloe's friends were there to enjoy the party and Dermot had a bouncy castle "just for Chloe" (Chloe can bleed easily if she receives a bang)

They played away and then Dermot presented Ruby with a new mobile phone , made possible thanks to Mr William Mallon at Career Projections Chloe was presented with a laptop and I was presented with the biggest bouquet of flowers .

We were all stunned.

After the party we returned to the Avon Ri for our first night .

We had an amazing day and it had such a positive impact .


Sunday morning there was a knock on the door, as I opened the door I froze ,,, there was a bright pink electric Mini Cooper for Chloe , a dream come true for her. I am so grateful to Mr Richie Faulkner for getting this for Chloe it is what she always dreamt about.

She was absolutely blown away (Chloe watches Sophia Grace singing on YouTube who has one of these cars)

After driving around in her car on the grounds of the Avon Ri we went for a swim. The remainder of the day Chloe sat in her new car .

On Monday (Peter had arranged a day off school☺️) we decided to go to Dundrum shopping centre with nana.

Ruby and Chloe each got their hair done and it was like supermarket sweep as they both purchased everything they wanted.

It was really lovely to have had such a wonderful experience filled with happiness especially when many days are hard days with sadness.

I admire Peter Harris for his dedication to helping kids in need of a break away from their illness and for the enormous generosity he shows.
He is such a genuine person with a great nature and I cannot express how grateful I am to him for giving us a magical few days that we will never forget.
It was an unbelievable experience and I thank all the people involved from the bottom of my heart.

You all made a huge difference to Chloe's life xxx it was the best time ever xxx

Below are some of the photo's taken on the day

Alison

The Bubblegum Club started in 1994 and in December 1995 was their first Winter Wonderland for terminally ill children, this year the Winter Wonderland comes of age (so to speak) December 2016 it will be 21 yrs old.

Who remembers the first one ?
Since 1994 we have put a smile on the faces of over 20,000 children no mean feat for an organisation that gets no help from the Government / HSE / Lottery etc, we depend on contributions and help from the public.
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Nobody, Director's / Volunteer's / Helper's / Doctor's or Nurse's  has ever been paid, we do it because we want to - to give something back and bring a smile to a face at least once in the lifetime of a child (which is usually short).

Do you want to do something different this year?
Something that makes you feel good inside and always has a positive result?
No, I’m not talking about an exercise regime or a new fad diet; and this won’t cost you anything - Curious then read on!
This year volunteer your time and help a charity.
Maybe devote some time and organise a fundraiser, this will bring your community together and raise awareness for the Bubblegum Club and the work we do.
Join one of the already arranged events and get a sponsorship card and T-shirt.
The bottom line is the children benefit, with our corporate sponsorship down by over 80%
We all need to make an extra effort to help.



Have you made your New Years Resolution – No!

Then this would be a good place to start
Do something you can be proud of, help sick children have a bit of fun.

Contact us on 086 262 8888 (Peter)

On the 21st of November 2015 at least 100 people dressed as Santa Claus will climb Croagh Patrick for charity.

Sponsorship Cards are available (minimum sponsorship €250.00)

Beneficiaries are, The Bubblegum Club, Cystic Fibrosis and Mayo Mountain rescue.

The event link on Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/events/108273649529387?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A3%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&aref=3

Thank you to our sponsors and fundraisers for this years Winter Wonderland!!
 
Experis, Harcourt Street.
  
http://www.experis.ie
 

HMS Host, Ireland.
 
http://www.hmshost.com

Barbara O'Donovan and Catherine Keenan, who together with the help of their own Santa's helpers ran this years Dublin Mini-Marathon. All helpers have made Santa's 'nice' list!

Woo Hoo Ho, ho. ho.
 
Only 8 weeks to go till Christmas 2015 and Santa is back with us.
 

 
Just off the phone to the North Pole Santa and the Elves have confirmed
 
that they will be down again to meet the kids of The Bubblegum Club again.
 

 
This year the location is Dublin, we are excited & looking forward to greeting the North Pole Crew
 
for the 21st year in a row.
 

 
Further details next week.