Inspirational Longford grandfather Paul Kelly helping 'Save a Smile' campaign this Christmas

This Christmas, Children’s Health Foundation, has launched the ‘Save a Smile’ Campaign – an emotional reminder that this Christmas, some children won’t wake up at home, they’ll wake up in hospital, but, with the support and generosity of supporters across the country, they won’t miss out on the magic.

When it comes to grandfathers, Paul Kelly from Ballymahon is a very special example. He is the driving force behind the Ballymahon Friends of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin fundraising group based in Longford. This group, since 2016, has raised €118,500 for Children’s Health Ireland and Ronald McDonald House.

Paul’s motivation is his adored granddaughter Grace Kelly.

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Before Grace was born in 2015, scans showed that she had cardiac and pulmonary issues. She was born by caesarean section in Holles Street and blue lighted across to Crumlin. Paul, his wife Marie, and the extended family waited with fear and many candles lit for news of her safe arrival.

Shortly after her birth Grace was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary artresia and MAPCAS, a very rare heart condition where the outcome was not certain.

After a number of stays in hospital and major surgery, her grandfather Paul set up the fundraising group to raise funds for Crumlin Children’s Hospital in gratitude for what they were doing for Grace and other children like her.

A group of locals came on board and it was agreed that there would be an annual raffle and 5k.

Since 2016, with the exception of the Covid years, the people of Ballymahon, and surrounding areas, have generously supported the group’s fundraising efforts. Indeed, anyone that stood beside Paul long enough at a GAA match would be relieved of a few euro for raffle tickets – the story goes that a stranger stopped for directions one day and ended up buying tickets.

Paul’s dedication to this fundraiser is evident and he spends days sitting for hours outside supermarkets selling tickets. He can be seen around the town and outlying areas putting up advertising signs for the now-annual fundraiser and rallying the troops to help out and get on board to either sell tickets or act as stewards for the 5K run.

He did all this while being diagnosed with a serious illness just before Grace’s birth, as he set aside his own health worries were set aside to concentrate on Grace and her two brothers Cian and Senan.

When it comes to the Save a Smile, Paul says: “Without funding for research, Grace and so many children like her may not still be with us. It’s very difficult to see your granddaughter so ill and when you love someone so much you’re willing to go the extra mile and to do what you can to ensure more positive outcomes for them."

“The generosity of people in the midst of a cost of living crisis is astounding and humbling and it’s never taken for granted. Grace turned 10 in November and it’s great to see her living a relatively normal life despite her condition. That’s down to the exceptional care she gets from the team in Crumlin. They’re amazing and Grace is amazing.”

Help Children’s Health Foundation ‘Save a Smile’ this Christmas, Support the appeal today at childrenshealth.ie or text SAVEASMILE to 50300 to donate €4.

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