A walk for Ross

The first cautious rays of summer sunshine greeted the Mooney family from Castlepollard and their friends on the first 'Walk for Ross'.Everyone gathered just before noon for a sponsored walk and a teddy bear picnic on the shores of Lough Ennell, to remember Ross, a small baby, whose short life had affected all who knew his family.Baby Ross Mooney was born on 30th April 2008 with a condition that meant his rib cage would not develop and so his lungs could not inflate.With this news Mum Hilary and dad Paul prepared themselves to never have the opportunity to bring their baby boy home.But, when Ross was moved from the Coombe to Crumlin Hospital at three weeks old, the Mooney family were referred to the 'Jack and Jill Foundation', a charity which helps parents of babies who are born with life threatening and severely debilitating diseases.When Ross was transferred to Mullingar hospital, the charity helped the Mooney family to do the one thing most parents take for granted, bring their baby home for a night.'The foundation provided a nurse and with their help we could bring him home. They are such special people, the nurses, they helped our family in so many ways.'They also provide respite, so that you can also spend time with other family members, especially other children, who may feel confused, overwhelmed or even just lost because of what is happening,' says Hilary.The Mooney family received the maximum the charity could provide, 20 hours with a qualified nurse, which meant a week of care for Ross. The Carers" Association also provided a nurse for eight hours.The walk and Teddy Bears" picnic took place at Belvedere, with over twenty families taking part. Although the primary reason was to remember Ross"s birthday, many families also filled sponsorship cards raising nearly €2,500 for Jack & Jill.'Jack & Jill rely on donations to provide for the €3.6 million per year that it takes to offer its services, which also includes bereavement counselling and support. They gave us and Ross, if only for the briefest time, the best quality of life and helped us to care for our baby.'They are still helping us now and the money we have raised will help another family who find themselves overwhelmed by the news that their baby or child is very ill,' explains Hilary.Just before the teddy bear picnic, the Mooney family planted a cherry tree which should blossom every year around the time of Ross"s birthday.The Jack & Jill Foundation supports these families until the child is four, at which stage the State provides some assistance. An example of some of the costs they cover for families are €1,280 for 80 hours" care with a qualified nurse and €800 for a dedicated carer.For one night"s care provided by a qualified nurse to help care for a tiny baby, like Ross, is €160.