Ballymore supports Barretstown in new charity partnership

When Dee Ahearn joined Barretstown in 2010 as CEO, the organisation was at a turning point. “I was at Treasury Holdings at the time, and I was also on the board of Make-A-Wish,” she recalls. “The then Chair approached me and asked if I would come in to help the charity reset and refocus.”
 
That reset would go on to transform the charity’s trajectory, helping Barretstown grow into the internationally recognised organisation that now supports thousands of children and families each year.
 
Dee continues: “The beginning of my time here was really about restructuring and creating an organisation that partners would feel proud to support – one built on transparency, accountability and clarity around the impact we were making. 

“Governance is everything when you’re building trust, so before we asked anyone for funding, we made sure we could demonstrate strong structures, audit processes and accountability. We positioned Barretstown as an organisation with purpose at its heart, underpinned by strong governance and accountability – and that changed everything.” 
 
The impact was significant with the charity going from raising around €4 million a year to around €11 million today – a fantastic amount that helps the charity to serve increasing numbers of children.

Powered by people
Another fundamental shift was building the right team around the organisation. That included experienced colleagues like Director of Development Tim O’Dea, alongside a growing network of volunteers from across the country. 
 
The results speak for themselves: “We now have around 2,500 incredible volunteers every year,” Ahearn adds. “They are the heartbeat of Barretstownand it’s so rewarding.”
  
A community built on connection
Unlike many healthcare-linked charities, Barretstown operates from its own 500-acre estate in County Kildare – a setting that Ahearn believes is central to its identity.
  
“We are part of a community here,” she says. “It’s not a hospital campaign or a fundraising appeal tied to a single ward. People come here, they see what we do, and they become part of it.”

That sense of belonging extends to every partnership the charity builds. “Whether it’s Ballymore or any other partner, we focus on relationships first,” she explains. “We make sure the partnership reflects both our needs and theirs, and that it’s built on shared purpose.”
 
“Hospitals treat the illness, Barretstown treats the child”
At the heart of Barretstown’s work is its therapeutic recreation model, supporting children and families affected by cancer and other serious illness.
 
“When families are plunged into illness, everything changes,” Ahearn says. “Hospital appointments take over. Siblings are often separated. Life becomes entirely focused on the child who is sick.”
 
“That’s why our work is so important. We’re holistic – we support the entire family.”
 
A phrase often used within the organisation captures it simply: “Hospitals treat the illness, Barretstown treats the child.” 
  
The result, she says, is both emotional and measurable. A recent social impact study estimated Barretstown’s social impact at €1.9 billion. Dee adds: “Both the quantitative and human impact of the work continue to drive us forward – we even had former Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly describe our work as ‘vital’. It makes me very proud to hear that.” 

At the heart of Barretstown’s programmes are experiences designed to bring parents, siblings and affected children back together – often for the first time in a long time. “We run family camps where everyone comes together, helping them escape from a world dictated by treatment plans and hospital appointments,” Ahearn explains. “We also run sibling camps, because siblings often carry a huge emotional burden too. They’re missing normality and their parents, and this is a chance to ensure they get some attention too.”
 
Sometimes, she says, the impact is unexpectedly visible. “During sibling camps, we actually see higher visits to our medical support facility – what we call the Med Shed – because children are finally seeking attention for themselves,” she says. “And we’re proud that we can give them that space.”
 
The feedback from families is constant. “Every weekend we receive emails from parents and children,” she says. “They often tell us it’s the first time they’ve felt like a family again since diagnosis.”

The role of partners like Ballymore 
For Ahearn, partnerships like Ballymore’s are essential to sustaining and growing that impact. “Long-term partners are absolutely critical,” she says. “They provide stability, but also belief in what we’re trying to achieve.” 
 
She sees a strong alignment in values. “Ballymore has always invested in communities and young people,” she says. “That’s exactly what we do – not just for children who are unwell, but for their families and wider support networks.”
 
Looking ahead 
Now, as it continues to support children and families, Dee says Barretstown’s programmes continue to evolve to meet growing and changing needs.  “We’re constantly innovating,” she says. “Our midweek camps now support school groups and children with very specific needs, while weekends are focused on families. We’re investing in programme design and brand strategy, making sure everything we do is evidence-based and impactful,” she explains. 
 
Fundraising remains central to that ambition. “Events like our annual lunch are incredibly important,” she says. “We raised €120,000 last year, and with partners like Ballymore involved, we hope to grow that further.”

“We are so grateful for Ballymore’s support.”