Store manager Lily Madden.

Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation's new Mayo charity boutique is open

THE Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has opened a new charity boutique on Market Street, Castlebar, selling a fantastic selection of pre-loved clothes, accessories, toys, books, LEGO and household items.

The new boutique, situated next door to Fahy’s gift shop, opened its doors yesterday morning (Tuesday) and will be raising much-needed funds for nine children currently under Jack and Jill’s care across Mayo, and over other 400 children across the country.

Carmel Doyle, CEO of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, said: “We are so proud and thrilled to be opening a new charity boutique in Castlebar which is so important to our fundraising drive for specialist in-home nursing care for local families in Mayo. We are currently supporting nine local families, and since our service began in 1997 we have provided much needed care for 95 families in Mayo.

“Our gorgeous new boutique will be a real meeting point for our community, and we are looking forward to welcoming local people, whether they are donating pre-loved items or in search of a bargain or giving us a few hours of their time to volunteer.

“Our boutique will be a treasure trove and provide a warm welcome to all.

“We have a mammoth fundraising hill of €6m to raise each year, to keep our vital service going for children in Mayo and across the country, so all help is welcome, needed and appreciated.”

Lily Madden, shop manager of the new charity boutique, said: “Already we have received great support. I am really looking forward to managing this beautiful new boutique and working with our volunteers to make this a great place to shop for our customers.”

Inside the charity boutique.

Shop sales raise funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation which provides specialist in-home nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for children up to the age of six with severe to profound neurodevelopmental delay and may include children with brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy, and undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the Jack and Jill service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of six, irrespective of diagnosis.

The charity boutique will open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and is currently recruiting volunteers who can spare a few hours a week to make a real difference to local families.

For more information, please visit the store (Eircode F23 HX71), email castlebar@jackandjill.ie or call (087) 1920344 for more information.