The Victoria Thompson Scholarship

It is with great emotion and pleasure we attended the presentation for this year’s winner of The Victoria Thompson Scholarship in NUIG on March 13th. Victoria’s scholarship is linked with the prestigious Masters/Post-grad in Children’s palliative care and complex care in NUIG university.

Claire Lynott applied with other course participants in this the second year of the scholarship competition. Her winner entry was selected when marked by the committee for the Victoria Thompson Scholarship. Six applications were received on the topic of ‘How the scholarship and course will benefit my future career in palliative care and complex care’ and the standard was extremely high.

We want to thank the course and its director, Claire Quinn for all their hard work and dedication on this highly credited course. NUIG are very forward in their thinking and compassion, in making this course the first of it kind in Ireland. Their continued and expanding interest in children’s palliative care studies is greatly appreciated. Without such courses, terminally ill children in Ireland would be relying on ad hoc services and training. The nurses who take part in the course are highly dedicated to the sector and work closely with families who need their specialised care.

It makes us glad to know that into the future nurses will be more readily available for children, like Victoria, who receive a devastating diagnosis.

The Victoria Thompson Scholarship registered as a charity and fundraisers have happened and will continue to happen in memory of Victoria, who died in 2012, after receiving palliative care due to a rare disease.

There will be more exciting news for us coming soon and we want to thank everyone, all of our supporters, donors, funders and supporters, for helping us advance children’s palliative care in Ireland.

The S-Mum, Maria Rushe contacted me and asked if we’d like to be on board the Polar Express adventure on December 2nd 2017.

Although we aware of Maria’s awarding winning blog, we had never met her. Golden tickets were printed and she sold out in 90 minutes! But I know that a great deal of time and organisation went into raising the €1,000 for our scholarship (and another €1,000 went to the wonderful Jack and Jill Foundation.)

We got a present of tiny bells on joining the excited queue. Of course the children had to get their photos taken with the Conductor Emmet who punched their special tickets  (Rushe Fitness sponsor and husband of Maria is the conductor.) We took our seats with an excited packed cinema.

Presenting the cheque to us, for funds already in our account, shows you the organisation of Maria Rushe.

The overall tally is now a whopping €1,000 each for the two charities.

Christmas is hard for those who’ve lost loved-ones. Having this event told us that although we are without Victoria again this Christmas ….. her magic lives on. Thank you to all involved and to all who came. The spontaneous tinkle of those bells when Santa arrived on screen was very moving.

Large gratitude to Rushe Fitness, The S-Mum and Century Cinemas. Although Victoria never got to the cinema – she has now, in her own little magical way.

Thank you Maria Rushe x The S-Mum from all at The Victoria Thompson Scholarship.

It has taken a few days to come around following Tommy Tiernan ‘s comedy show ‘Under the Influence’ in Letterkenny.

We started this Scholarship as a small token to remember Victoria and suddenly it was linked to Nuig university’s Masters course in children’s palliative care and complex care. One small email and Tommy was coming to present our bursaries to hardworking nurses.

Then he kindly offers to do a big gig!!!

Walking into a room like the one below moved us so much. 800+ people were there. It never ceases to amaze us what Victoria inspires.

So much for a small plan. 💗

Thank you to all involved recently in helping the scholarship.

To Tommy, Yvonne and the whole Tommedian team – you are magic. Thank you.

Geraldine Kealey and all in Sligo’s Skreen and Dromard Community Centre and Girl Guide Troop are doing a social dance on 30th Sept. Please try to come along. It starts 10pm. €10 admission.

Ciaran Rosney playing the music. Raffles and prizes galore. Love to see you there.

Huge thank you to all the contributors and organisers. We really appreciate children’s groups helping our children’s charity.

Thank you. X

Our next event is outlined below.

Thank you Daphne Sumbler and the Cantus Bravura award-winning choir for doing a fundraising concert on 16th September 2017.

We are grateful that the magic will hit the UK and hope some people could join us on the night. It will be a special evening of song, connecting people, places and times.

​BIG Announcement. 

Tommy Tiernan has kindly offered the proceeds from one of his national comedy shows to The Victoria Thompson Scholarship.

Tommy is coming to Letterkenny to do this on Oct 5th 2017. Tickets are on sale www.ticketmaster.ie 

What special magic! We can continue to help nurses to study in children’s palliative care and complex care.

Thank you and much appreciation to Tommy and his team. xx

Details on his tour below and more will follow.

Aiken Promotions present

TOMMY TIERNAN – UNDER THE INFLUENCE

The Castlecourt Hotel, Westport – Thursday 7 September

The Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny – Thursday 5 October

Dean Crowne, Athlone – 12 October

TLT, Drogheda – 13 October

The Salthill Hotel, Galway – Wednesday 18 October

Breaffy, Castlebar – 7 December

Great Northern, Bundoran – 8 December

Landmark Hotel, Leitrim – 9 December

Jacksons, Ballybofey – 15 December

Longford Arms Hotel – 16 December

Mullingar Park hotel – 21 December

Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe – 22 December.

Due to phenomenal demand Tommy Tiernan has added extra shows to his Under The Influence tour.

As if receiving instructions from a strange and distant star, Tommy Tiernan takes to the stage refusing to take anything seriously. The political and the personal are all up for grabs as the only goal of the evening is laughter. Let our struggles be mocked and our cares abandoned. Allow yourself be guided by a language loving and theatrical performer with a half thought out plan, no professional qualifications and a mouth with a mind of its own. Can you trust him? To be silly, yes. To behave, no. Like a bus conductor standing in front of an orchestra with a spoon in one hand and air horn in the other what could possibly go wrong!?

“A wide eyed philosopher of love and life who performs as if appalled by the idea of being bland”  – THE GUARDIAN
Tickets priced €28 go on sale this Thursday 20 July at 9am through venues, www.ticketmaster.ie & usual outlets nationwide

The Victoria Thompson Scholarship Facebook page 

It is with great pleasure we announce that Abu Dhabi Rose Niamh Kelly, from Co Clare, is going to represent our charity, when she travels to The Rose of Tralee Festival, this August.

As a nurse, Niamh chose children’s palliative care as one of her causes, for this international festival.

Our charity aims to advance children’s palliative care in Ireland, so although Niamh is representing the Victoria Thompson Memorial Fund we feel she is a symbol of beauty and hope for all 4,000 Irish children needing this specialised medical care.

Niamh will also have many special angels looking out for her in the Dome this year.

We ask for people to cheer for our Niamh Kelly when she takes to the stage in Kerry and thank Niamh sincerely for her kindness and support.

For more information about beautiful Niamh and the festival go to https://www.facebook.com/abudhabirose2016/

The Rose by Bette Midler

Our Facebook page. Please like.

Donegal Woman article. 
Please consider donating directly to the Victoria Thompson Memorial Fund here https://www.gofundme.com/27qhkn7f

or Contact us

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Live Celebrity Chef Cook-off
in Redcastle Oceanfront Golf and Spa. 27th April 8pm.
in aid of The Victoria Thompson Memorial Fund/Scholarship.

Local, celebrity Chef Brian McDermott from TV3 is battling it out with the likes of Tony Singh MBE and Redcastle’s own Gordon Smyth, for this thrilling, live event.

Arrive to a glass of bubbly, overlooking Lough Foyle and watch the masters at work, as they battle it out to win the competition.

There will be an opportunity to meet and speak with the celebrity chefs and take the necessary selfies.

Tickets are available now (€20) from Redcastle Oceanfront Golf and Spa. We recommend purchasing tickets early.

Victoria’s legacy is always supported by Redcastle Oceanfront Golf and Spa Hotel. They’ve already pledged a substantial amount this year to our annual signage rental auction. This is one of the many ways their generous staff remember our Victoria and those like her.

We wish to thank all those involved in this cook-off on the 27th April.

Get info here

Tickets purchase from hotel

For further information please contact;
Feelena McCallion Sales and Marketing Manager Redcastle Hotel 0749385555 fmccallion@redcastlehotel.com

Children like Victoria need nurses. Specialised, trained nurses. We love nurses. 😀

We ask for many more talented nurses to consider training in children’s palliative care, so children like Victoria can be cared for with palliative care in their own home or hospital. (With the hope of hospice respite in the future.)

http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/childrens-palliative-care-complex-care/

Masters in children’s palliative care and complex care.

“In 2016, NUI Galway recognised the need to support services to ensure that nurses have the required competencies and skills to care for this population of infants, children and adolescents in the relevant settings.  The programme obtained the support of the NMPDU to facilitate a more prepared nursing workforce though ongoing learning and development.

Modules can be offered as one continuous specialist MSc Programme OR can be undertaken as individual modules as a Masters Level Professional Credit Award.

Registration is now open until late June.

The current class of PG Students is made up of Community, Palliative Care, Neonatal, Disability, Hospital and Hospice nurses.”

Check out the leaflet and spread the word about children’s palliative care please. 

Thank you. 

Contact claire.quinn@nuigalway.com for further details.

Please like our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/TheVictoriaThompsonScholarship/

And follow us on twitter @Victoriabttrfly

Leaflet on scholarship here – victoriathompsonscholarship_leaflet_print

Documentary that includes Victoria’s journey can be found here. vimeo.com/65008197

The Victoria Thompson Memorial Fund was kindly joined by Tommy Tiernan for the presentation of the Victoria Thompson Scholarship in NUIG university this morning 14th March 2017.

Congratulations to Aishling Devitt and Anne Browne who were selected to recieve the scholarship from the first ever children’s palliative care and complex care course in the country.

Our aim is to highlight the need for more paediatric palliative care nurses and services nationally.

We are deeply honoured that Tommy Tiernan attended and launched our initative.

Thank you to all in NUIG especially the nurses who are teaching and studying to provide care for our most vulnerable children. A huge amount of appreciation to Claire Quinn course director for all of her support and encouragement.

It was a special occasion. #Victoriamagic lives on. More interesting news to follow.

Huge thanks to Angus McMahon photographer.

To donate to the Victoria Thompson Scholarship

https://www.gofundme.com/27qhkn7f

Details of course listen here to course director Claire Quinn on connemara radio from 15:10

http://connemarafm.com/Audio/Fiona-Scullion-show.m4a

It can be found at 15.10 to 29.31.

Details on the course for interested nurses. http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/childrens-palliative-care-complex-care/