Donal Skehan Returns to Launch the 17th Annual Great Irish Bake for Sick Children
Award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan is back to kick off the 17th Annual Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, launching on 11th April 2025. The Great Irish Bake is proudly supported by Gem, who are celebrating their seventh year as the event’s sponsor.
This event encourages people from across Ireland to get involved to help raise vital funds to support sick children and their families in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals and urgent care centres at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.
Donal Skehan, a long-time advocate for Great Irish Bake, is joined this year by six-year-old Sara Higgins, a brave young craniofacial patient from Cork. Sara was born with a rare genetic condition that affects her skull’s development. Over the past six years, she has undergone multiple life-changing surgeries, including two further expansion surgeries to accommodate her brain’s growth and development. Sara represents the thousands of children who benefit from the crucial funding raised each year from this event.
Having supported the Children’s Health Foundation for many years, Donal has a deep personal connection to the cause, having experienced first-hand the dedication of hospital staff when his own son, Noah, required treatment last Christmas in Temple Street. “Having worked with Children’s Health Foundation for the Great Irish Bake over the years, I’ve always known the incredible work that the hospital staff do. But seeing it firsthand was nothing short of extraordinary. The staff, doctors and nurses are superhero’s.” Donal shared.
Thanks to Donal’s continued support and the efforts of bakers across the nation, the 2024 Great Irish Bake for Sick Children raised over €170,000 helping to fund new and emerging technologies and life-saving equipment to those who need it the most.
The Great Irish Bake is open to everyone – from individuals and families to schools, companies, and community groups. Participants are encouraged to get creative, host bake sales, and share their delicious creations. To help make the event even more fun, Children’s Health Foundation offers a comprehensive Bake Kit to give you everything you need to make your bake a scrumptious success.
“We are truly grateful to all the supporters of the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children. The funds raised through this campaign have a profound impact on the little patients, helping to fund life-saving equipment, cutting-edge technologies, and critical services at Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres. With the continued support of Donal Skehan, Gem, and all our supporters, we can make a real difference in the lives of so many young patients. Whether it’s baking, donating, or spreading the word, we encourage everyone to get involved, as it all helps to make a brighter future for sick children across Ireland.” said Fionnuala O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Health Foundation.
Bobby Mulligan, Managing Director of Gem Pack Foods, shares, “Gem is delighted to return as the sponsor of the Great Irish Bake for Sick Children for 2025 and we’re thrilled to support Children’s Health Foundation. Having been involved in this event for a number of years now, we truly understand the difference it makes to the 300,000+ sick children who pass through the doors of Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly each year. The generous donations from participants help fund life-saving equipment and so much more. Let’s make this year’s event the most successful yet! Let’s host bake sales in our communities and raise vital funds for this incredible cause!'”
Participants who share photos of their bakes on social media can use the hashtag #GreatIrishBake and two lucky participants who register for Great Irish Bake will each receive a Gem baking hamper.
So, get involved, it’s a piece of cake! Join the 17th Annual Great Irish Bake and help ‘bake’ a difference for sick children across Ireland. To register, receive your Bake Kit, and start planning your event, visit www.childrenshealth.ie/GreatIrishBake today.