We're thrilled to support rugby legend Rob Kearney and our Director’s son, Iarla Thompson, in launching the 'Christmas Jumper Day' campaign for the Children’s Health Foundation.

When Iarla was born he was critically ill and was immediately transferred to Holles Street Hospital where he was diagnosed with congenital heart defect. At just over two weeks old, Iarla underwent life saving open-heart surgery. Thankfully, the surgery was hugely successful.

By the time Iarla was just four months old, his parents noticed some changes to his skull. He was sent straight to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street and given an immediate diagnosis of Craniosynostosis, a condition that without intervention, impacts brain and skull growth. Iarla’s Mum Sinead said, “It was hard to believe that we were on another serious medical journey with our little boy within such a short space of time”.

Just a few weeks shy of his first birthday, Iarla underwent his second round of successful life-saving surgery to correct the issues to his Skull.

This initiative plays a crucial role in raising essential funds for Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly, helping to buy life-saving equipment and therapies for thousands of sick children.