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Bubblegum Club Event in Avon Ri, Co Wicklow

26/2/2012

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What a day we had ! It all began in Weston Airport at 10am, with up to 20 busloads of children arriving throughout the morning. There was huge excitement as everyone lined up to take their seat in one of the 22 helicopters that were parked and ready to fly all the children, carers and parents to Avon Ri Resort in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. The flying conditions were excellent with spectacular views over the Blessington Lakes.

The Bubblegum Club aviation team from the Irish Helicopter Owners and Pilots Association were on hand to ensure the safe and smooth running of all flights, along with the Army and the Air Corps.

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The fantastic facilities in Avon Ri allowed us to host a really special and fun-filled day for all including water sports by the lake, numerous bouncy castles and inflatable games, puppet making and face painting by Helium, a beautiful falconry display, ‘Dave the jungle’ zoo with lizards, tarantulas, and snakes! With many of the children taking the opportunity to get up close and pet these exotic animals.

If that was too adventurous for some, there was also clown school, dancing & football. Or you could relax with a burger from the barbeque.

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This is one of our major events on the calendar each year and is looked forward to by so many. Children from 15 hospitals and homes around the country such as Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital and the Sunshine Home make the trip each year and it always proves to be a huge success. It’s such an important event for the Bubblegum Club and embodies our ethos of living life to its fullest.

The day would not happen without the support from so many volunteers both on the day and the run up to the event, along with the entertainers, the Army, Garda, the Bubblegum Club aviation team from IHOP, the fire service, Dublin Bus and so many more.

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A special thanks also to the celebrities that gave their time and kindness on the day such as Karen Koster from TV3’s Xpose, who is a very welcome patron of the charity, along with actors Dave Duffy and George McMahon from Fair City plus Leanne Moore, winner of 2008 You’re A Star.

Peter Harris, founder and CEO of the charity:

“This is an extraordinary event that we look forward to each year. It’s a spectacular day for all the children and their families involved, giving them a much needed break from their illness or crisis, reminding them of what it is to be a child”. We would like to thank the staff of Avon Ri Resort, the Helicopter and Pilots association, the Air Corp and the Army for supporting the event, and all the other volunteers and suppliers that made the day so memorable for the Children”.

Roll on next year!!

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Martin and Jade met JLS at the O2

9/6/2011

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Last week, we took two great kids Martin and Jade from the Kolbe special school in Portlaoise to see the sold-out JLS show at the O2, courtesy of Sporting Bet. The trip was complete with VIP treatment at the Audi Club.

Their families got to come along for the ride, and we received some amazing thank you letters from them recently. You can see some excerpts from the letters below:

From Annette, mother of Martin:

“…it all started with a phone call from Trish (an SNA from Martin’s school) asking me did I think Martin would like to go to a JLS concert in Dublin on Saturday night. Being aware of Martin’s love for music and how quickly he’s approaching his teenage years,  despite his difficulties, I’m sure if Martin could walk, talk or do things as any “normal” 12 year old would do, he’d jump at the opportunity, so I went ahead and said “Yes!”


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“Martin woke up all excited on Saturday morning bouncing around in the bed as soon as I mentioned the JLS concert. We packed all we needed for the journey and after a phone call from Peter Harris of the Bubblegum Club informing us that we were going to get a chance to meet JLS, we knew we had one special night awaiting us! Peter was waiting for us at the entrance to the O2, which made everything so easy. Jade, Linda and Patrick arrived promptly after us and the seven of us made our way to the Audi lounge. Sharon escorted us kindly to the VIP lounge and our children were treated like VIPs! We waited to meet JLS and Emma managed to contain herself as she caught a glimpse of them through the crowd.”

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All the staff at the O2 were so helpful and they gave Martin and Jade a very warm welcome and they were indeed treated as special guests….So to Trish, Peter and the staff at the O2, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved and a special thank you to the Bubblegum Club for all your hard wok and dedication throughout the years to children like Martin and Jade. Keep up the good work and remember special memories like this one last a lifetime. Anyone who reads this, please do take the time and effort to support the Bubblegum, Club as it helps make our children feel like special guests!”

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From Patrick & Lynda, parents of Jade:

“The Bubblegum Club contacted the Kolbe school to send two of the kids and their families to see the best looking band around, JLS in the O2 in Dublin. We were so delighted at the opportunity as Jade loves their music.”

“Peter arranged for Jade and her friend Martin to meet JLS who I have to say were a really lovely gentle bunch of lads. They had a lot of time for the kids and took the time to have their photos taken  and to sign autographs – thanks lads! Jade was smiling from ear to ear when they bent down to say hello to her – we think she had a soft spot for Aston, as she held his hand for the photos. We were then taken to the VIP lounge where we had a beautiful meal…all the staff were really lovely, we truly can’t speak higher about everyone on the night. The O2 is really well equipped for wheelchairs which makes life so much easier.”

“The concert was a great success and a great night was had by us all and it was such a lovely treat for us. Through fundraising, the Bubblegum Club can put a smile on many more little faces and it is so worth it. As we can all appreciate, times they are a-changing and times are tough, but there is nothing more precious in this world than a smile on a child’s face – you just cannot put a price on that. There are so many ways we can do this, just spreading the word for a start, maybe walk that marathon or do that parachute jump you always wanted to do – get sponsored and feel good about doing something for someone else that is less fortunate than you. Buy some cards, you know every little helps. We have experienced firsthand what these charities can do for our children so go on and give someone a chance to enjoy an opportunity like this.”


“Peter is giving his time, but he cannot do it without help from the rest of us. Jade and her mammy and daddy would like to send a heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the night and a special thanks to Peter and the Bubblegum Club who are continuing their quest to put a smile on as many people as they can.”


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Trip to the set of Fair City for Richard and Ciara

20/5/2011

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Thanks to the Bubblegum Club, Richard Molloy and Ciara O’Callaghan, young Michael O’Connor was treated to a first class visit to the set of Fair City at RTE on Thursday 13th May 2010.

Michael, who suffers from a serious rare eye condition which has left him blind, is a number one fan of the RTE TV soap, Fair City.  He enthusiastically follows the characters and plots as they unfold on the nightly series.  It has been a long time dream of his to visit the set and meet with his favourite actors. His dream finally came true when he was picked up by Ferrari on Thursday morning and chauffeured by Richard Molloy at high speed on the M50 to RTE, Donnybrook.

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There to greet Michael was actress Ciara O’Callaghan, aka Yvonne.  Ciara took the role of sighted guide, bringing Michael to visit the set where the actors and crew were filming an episode three weeks ahead of the schedule.

Ciara helped Michael to explore the set of the now familiar street including the famous McCoy’s pub, Vino’s Wine Bar, Phelan’s newsagents, the charity shop and community centre.  Leo, Detective Deegan, Carol and Dean all took time out from filming to say hello to Michael and pose for photographs.

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Once the outdoor sets were visited it was time to check out the indoor sets so again Ciara guided Michael into the popular eateries and watering holes of Carrickstown.  Michael ordered a pint in McCoy’s, visited Sarah and Keith on set in their sitting room and waited to be served in the Hungry Pig!

After spending the morning hanging out with the actors in RTE it was time for lunch so once more Michael was whisked off by Richard in his Ferrari and brought to the Radisson Hotel where he sipped Coke Cola and chewed on tasty chicken nuggets!

Michael and his mum, Lorraine, were given a walk on part so look out for the two aspiring actors as they stroll there way past the Community Centre . . .in an episode of Fair City coming to a TV screen near you!!

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Jane Matthews meets Jedward in the O2

31/3/2011

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On Tuesday 30th of March, we took 11 year old Jane Matthews to see  Jedward in the O2 with her family, courtesy of Sporting Bet.

Jane is a great kid, she loves horses and all animals (she has a pot-bellied pig, two dogs, a cat and a pony) and her favouite hobby is horse riding.

When Jane was nine years old she got leukaemia and had to go to hospital for the first time. She has been in and out of hospital for the
past two years.

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Jane watches X-factor every week on television, and was very excited to go see Jedward!

Before the show, Jane and her family got to meet Jedward and had a fantastic experience. Jane sent us an email to tell us about her experience, saying:

“I was so excited about going and when they gave us the passes I felt like a superstar! We went up and met Jedward then Olly too! The concert went on for 2 hours – I wish it went on for ever though! I loved the concert so much, thanks a lot!!!!!!!”


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