At that time, their children were being treated for congenital heart defects. They realised there was a need for a support group and with the help of staff including Dr Desmond Duff and Sr. Chris McMahon they set about organising one.

In the early stages Heart Children Ireland received help from Heartbeat, now Heartbeat Trust in Northern Ireland. Six people attended the first Heart Children Ireland meeting in January 1990. From these small beginnings the group grew and was very successful. This was due to the hard work of the initial members. They set up two branches, one in Dublin and one in Cork. By 1992 membership had increased to 140 member families.

Heart Children Ireland now has over 1,000 member families and has raised well in excess of €2.5m for the Children’s Heart Centre at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. We also provide service to the Young Adult Congenital Unit at the Mater Hospital. Our young adults transfer from the children’s hospital to the Mater Hospital when they are in their late teens.

Although Heart Children is primarily a support group we have become involved in both fundraising and lobbying, we see these as an integral part of the support we provide. Over the years we have had meetings with successive Ministers for Health and officials from the HSE, we have used these meetings to secure improved treatment and facilities for those with CHD and to highlight deficiencies in the existing services.