Boyzone star Ronan Keating has revealed that his cancer charity has hit major obstacles to its fundraising campaigns because of the coronavirus.
Social distancing measures and limits on social gatherings have made it impossible for any of the usual fundraising events to take place.
That has left the charity facing increased financial difficulties.
Keating set up the Marie Keating Foundation in honour of his late mother.
The charity receives no government funding and is solely reliant on events, campaigns and donations.
The Marie Keating Foundation works with families who have a loved one suffering with cancer.
They offer emotional support as well as handing out financial help to ease the burden on families who may have their income reduced as one or more members cannot work as they care for their loved ones.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds coming in to the charity at the moment, it has had to suspend these grants for the time being.
Launching an urgent appeal, the Director of Fundraising Linda Keating said: “The Marie Keating Foundation is so reliant on our main source of income, namely our own events and the public getting behind us with fun runs, bake sales, sponsored cycles etc, that for all of these to be cancelled immediately with little notice is potentially devastating for us.
“We really do need the public’s help to help us continue to offer help to those we support who are now more vulnerable then ever.”
CEO Liz Yeates added: “At a time when our income is dropping, we have no choice but to suspend the fund. We very much hope it can be reinstated when the situation improves.”
Although the charity is facing difficult times, along with the rest of the world, it is still doing what it can to help people in need.
Many of the nurses that work with the Marie Keating Foundation have been redeployed to the HSE to help with the battle against the virus.
There have also been various online and webinar services set up to replace the usual face-to-face meetings with patients and their families.
You can find out more or donate to the charity by visiting mariekeating.ie/.
