Ruth O’Sullivan from Rathfarnham in Dublin is a Barretstown ambassador. She has also been a fundraiser and a camper and here she tells us about her experience.
“My first introduction to Barretstown was nearly twenty years ago when I was invited to attend a Barretstown fundraising ball. I attended a number of Barretstown’s fundraising balls over the following years and they were simply about having fun and helping Barretstown at the same time.
Then four years ago my life was turned upside down when my only child, Madeline, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Madeleine had surgery and the following months were very tumultuous helping her on her journey to recovery. One morning a letter arrived inviting us to attend a Barretstown family camp. It was a very new departure from my days attending fundraising events. We attended our first family camp in April 2012 and we’ve never looked back.
After attending family camp I joined the Barretstown ambassador network. So far I have spoken to a group of secondary school students who volunteered to clean the cottages at the end of the summer season and I’ve done a bucket collection at the Christmas Markets in the IFSC. Both activities were great fun! My relationship with Barretstown has spanned over twenty years and I am looking forward to another twenty years helping a charity that truly brings serious fun to the lives of children affected by serious illness and their families.”