FirstLight

On 24 July, Xavier will take a brave leap — quite literally — in memory of his precious daughter, who died suddenly from SIDS.

This parachute jump is a deeply personal challenge. It is being undertaken with love, remembrance and hope, while raising vital funds for FirstLight’s work supporting bereaved parents and families across Ireland.

Already, Xavier has raised the equivalent of 20 hours of professional counselling for families facing the unimaginable loss of a child.

That is 20 hours of care.
20 hours of listening.
20 hours of support when it is needed most.

If you can, please consider making a donation to support Xavier’s fundraiser. Every contribution, big or small, helps ensure that no bereaved parent or family has to face grief alone.

Donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/xavierflynn

Thank you, Xavier, for honouring your daughter’s memory in such a courageous and meaningful way. And thank you to everyone who has donated and shared his fundraiser so far.

Today’s announcement by Government is an important and welcome step forward.

Pregnancy loss is deeply personal, deeply painful, and too often experienced in silence. For many people, there has simply not been the acknowledgement or support they needed — including at work.

At FirstLight, we believe every loss deserves compassion, dignity and understanding. No one should have to carry grief alone.
We also want to acknowledge and thank Nicole Ryan, Linda Nelson Murray, all members of the cross-party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss, and our colleagues at Féileacáin and the Pregnancy Loss Research Group for the care, commitment and advocacy they have brought to this issue.

There is still more to do, but this matters. It is a meaningful step towards greater recognition, support and compassion for those affected by pregnancy loss.

If you or someone you know needs support, FirstLight is here:

A heartfelt thank Mary Chris Kelly and Ger Kelly for taking part in Many Voices of FirstLight last Friday, June 26th

It was a privilege to spend time with you both and to hear you speak about your beautiful daughter, Zoë Anna, with such tenderness, honesty, and love. We know that sharing a child’s story is never easy, and we are deeply grateful for the trust you placed in us.

At FirstLight, we know that when loss is met with understanding, presence, and compassion, families can feel a little less alone. Thank you, Mary and Ger, for offering something so meaningful to others who may be listening.

If any other family would like to participate in Many Voices of FirstLight, please contact [email protected].

This challenge was always about more than a mountain — it was about helping families find a way through unimaginable loss.

Over May and June, our Chairperson, Oliver Blackwell, took on the extraordinary challenge of Denali (Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America, in loving memory of his son David, who died unexpectedly at just 14 months old. This was Oliver Blackwell’s fourth fundraising climb, building on a journey that has already raised over €40,000 to support bereaved families.

While the climb itself has come to an end, the purpose behind it continues. We are aiming to raise €15,000 — enough to provide 250+ hours of free professional counselling to bereaved parents and families across Ireland.

€60 = 1 hour of vital support for a grieving family.

At FirstLight, we see every day how essential this support is. Grief after the loss of a child can be overwhelming, isolating and life-changing — but no family should have to face it alone.

If you can, please support this appeal and help us continue to be there for families when they need us most.
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/FirstLightDenali
👉 Please share this post to help us reach more people

Yesterday, our General Manager had the privilege of attending the Kerry Mile in Memory Walk at Rossbeigh Beach, alongside our Founder, Eimear Berry, and her husband Tom.

This was a deeply meaningful occasion for all of us, as it marked Eimear's first FirstLight memorial event in over 30 years. We were truly honoured to have her there, and to hear her speak so powerfully on the day.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Chris Kelly and Ger Kelly, whose annual walk in memory of their daughter Zoé Anna — and all babies and children who have died too soon — has become such an important and treasured gathering for families.

There was a quiet strength present throughout the day — a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and shared understanding. It was a space where families could come together to remember their children, honour their lives, and feel supported in the presence of others who truly understand their grief.

We would like to sincerely thank every single person who attended the walk, and all those who so kindly donated in support of FirstLight. Your presence and generosity mean so much to the families we walk alongside every day.

And to Mary Chris Kelly and Ger — thank you for creating something so special, so heartfelt, and so deeply meaningful. Your love and dedication continue to bring comfort and connection to so many.

💛 Together, we remember.
💛 Together, we honour.
💛 Together, we support.

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.” – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲

The 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 began with one family’s love for their daughter. Founded by Mary and Ger Kelly in memory of Zoé Anna, it has grown into a place of shared understanding — where families come together in remembrance, support, and quiet solidarity.

Since 2007, the walk has raised over €30,000 for FirstLight while becoming an important annual moment of connection for families who have lost a child.

💛 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨w
This Father’s Day, we are asking fathers, parents and families to come together.

📍 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐂𝐨. 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲
🗓 Sunday 21 June
⏰ Walk begins at 3.00pm (arrive from 2.30pm)
If you can be there — please come.

Come in memory of your child.
Come beside another father or family.
Come to show that no one has to walk this journey alone.

Every step taken together is a powerful act of support, understanding, and remembrance.

Mary has spoken of how FirstLight, then ISIDA, became a lifeline for her family. For 50 years, that same support has been there for families across Ireland — offering compassionate, professional counselling when it is needed most.

💛 DONATE TODAY
If you cannot attend, you can still stand with bereaved families.
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/kerrymileinmemorywalk2026
€60 provides one hour of professional counselling for a bereaved parent or family member in 2026.

One hour of being heard.

One hour of compassion.

One hour that can make an unbearable time just a little more manageable.

Please give what you can — your support provides real, vital help when families need it most.

💛 Together, we remember.
💛 Together, we honour.
💛 Together, we support.

Some acts of love do not fade with time.
They deepen.
They endure.
They keep going, step by step, year after year.

In November 2007, Breda’s granddaughter and Nicola’s daughter, Saoirse, died.

And for the last 17 years, in Saoirse’s beautiful memory, Breda and Nicola have taken part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.
What began in love has continued in love.
For 17 years, they have shown extraordinary commitment, courage and generosity.

In more recent years, as Breda has gotten older, they continued virtually — but with no less heart, no less purpose, and no less devotion.

Over that time, it is estimated that they have raised more than €18,000 for FirstLight.

That kindness has helped provide over 300 hours of counselling for bereaved parents and family members across Ireland.

That is the quiet power of remembrance.
That is the lasting reach of love.

That is Saoirse’s memory continuing to touch the lives of others.
On behalf of all of us at FirstLight, and all the families who have been supported because of this kindness, we want to say a heartfelt and sincere thank you.

Thank you, Breda and Nicola, for carrying Saoirse with you in such a beautiful and generous way.

Thank you for every mile, every effort, every year.
And thank you to every person who has supported them so kindly over the last 17 years.

Your compassion has made a real difference.

Your support has brought light into places of deep pain.

And your love has ensured that Saoirse is remembered not only in sorrow, but in hope, kindness and care.

Behind every walk, there is a story of love that continues.

We are so grateful to Mary Kelly and Gerald Kelly for sharing their story so openly and bravely in this week’s Kerry’s Eye.

Their words are a powerful reminder that while the loss of a child is something no family ever “gets over,” no one should have to face that journey alone. Through their annual Mile in Memory Walk on Rossbeigh Beach, they have created a space of remembrance, connection and support for families across Kerry and beyond.

📖 We encourage you to take a moment to read the article and hear their story.

🚶‍♂️ You are warmly invited to join us this Sunday at the Rossbeigh Beach Mile in Memory Walk — whether you are remembering a child, supporting a loved one, or simply walking in solidarity.

We are honoured that our founder, Eimear Berry, will also be in attendance as we mark 50 years of FirstLight supporting bereaved families.

Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to walk alone.

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Mary Chris Kelly