Childrens charity marks 10 years with Inishowen-wide rebrand
Buncrana's Childrens Charity to become Inishowen's Childrens Charity
A charity established in Buncrana ten years ago is to be rebranded as Inishowen's Children's Charity, reflecting its work supporting children and families throughout the peninsula.
The change will formally take effect on Friday, 6 November, when the charity also launches a five-year strategy setting out its plans for the future.
Founded in 2016, Buncrana's Childrens Charity was the brainchild of Adrian McMyler who was just 16 years old at the time. It has since developed into a community organisation providing practical and financial assistance to children and families facing illness, medical treatment, injury and bereavement.
In the first six months of this year alone, 114 children received support, with €27,400 provided in assistance. This included €17,500 in direct financial support, 105 Smile and Hospital Bags and 15 special experiences for children.
McMyler said the charity's first decade had been built on the efforts of a large number of volunteers and supporters.
“This has never been a one-person charity,” Adrian, the charity's chairperson, said. “People have given up evenings, weekends and family time, organised events, packed hospital bags, collected toys, worked in the shop and quietly supported families when they needed us.
“We also remember with great fondness those committee members, volunteers and supporters we have sadly lost along the way.”
Adrian said his own recent experience of illness had given him a greater appreciation of the financial pressures faced by families dealing with a sick child.
“When you’re sick, the costs add up unbelievably quickly - fuel, parking, food, travel and accommodation while all your normal bills are still there,” he said. “It made me think about parents regularly travelling for treatment with a sick child and the enormous pressure they face.
“We can’t take away what a family is going through, but if we can take even a little of that financial burden off their shoulders, that means something.”
While the organisation is changing its name, McMyler said Buncrana would remain central to its identity.
“Buncrana is where this story started and we will always be incredibly proud of those roots,” he said. “But today we support children from communities throughout the peninsula. Becoming Inishowen’s Children’s Charity isn’t about leaving Buncrana behind; it’s about taking what Buncrana helped create and saying to every family across Inishowen: this charity is for you too.”
The new five-year strategy will focus on strengthening the charity's services, governance and sustainability, while extending its reach throughout Inishowen.
“We’ve spent ten years building this from the grassroots,” Adrian said. “Now our responsibility is to make sure it is sustainable and here for children and families long into the future, regardless of who is sitting around the committee table.”
The rebranding and strategy launch will take place at the charity's headquarters at 28 Lower Main Street, Buncrana, from 12 noon to 3.30pm on Friday, 6 November with Highland Radio taking part in a live outside broadcast. Past and present volunteers, committee members, supporters, businesses, families and members of the wider community are invited to attend.
The charity's tenth anniversary celebrations will continue with its sold-out Strictly Come Dancing event at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Saturday, 14 November.