Clare’s Wish Foundation’s mission is to grant one last wish for adults with a terminal medical illness in all counties of Ireland
Founded in 2013, Clare’s Wish Foundation is the only Irish charity dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses.
The charity was founded by Limerick man Kevin Clancy, in memory of his sister Clare who passed away at the age of 24 from Spina Bifida in 1985. Before Clare passed, her wish was to meet Red Hurley, who she was a huge fan of. Her wish came true in 1978 when Red and his brother happily met Clare after a show and spent some time with her.
In 2011, Kevin’s father passed away after a five-month courageous battle with pancreatitis. During his last days, Kevin’s father had one last wish to return home one last time, but sadly he didn’t make the journey. Kevin’s grief from losing his father and sister changed his outlook on life and after over twenty years of working in the retail trade, he felt a deep desire to help others. Inspired by his father and sister’s wishes during their illnesses, Kevin formed Clare’s Foundation to grant the wishes of adults with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
Clare’s Wish Foundation believes that wishes can have a lasting impact on not just the person receiving them, but on their family and friends as well. They can create memories and cherished moments that last a lifetime.
As the charity works predominantly with terminally ill adults, they are often in a race against time to grant these wishes. They rely solely on the support of individuals, businesses and community groups. Each wish is individual and the costs per wish granted vary. Clare’s Foundation aims to raise €50,000 per year, which goes towards the running costs of the charity, as well as granting wishes over 12 months.
Listen to Clare’s Wish on The Humanli Podcast
Here are some of the wishes Clare’s Wish have granted:
Gorry Family Wish
In 2019, Clare’s Wish granted a lovely wish for the Gorry family from Athlone. They wished to take a mini-break away and visit Fota Wildlife Park and stay a few nights at Rochestown Park Hotel.
Emily & Brian’s Wish
Clare’s Wish put their wedding planning skills to the test and granted a special wedding wish for Emma and Brian.
Bernard’s Wish
Clare’s Wish made Bernard’s wish come true, by organising a helicopter ride for him and his family.
‘By giving Bernard the chance to experience his dream of freedom and weightlessness, you lifted us up too! We all feel lighter and happier! We all experience a renewed spring in our step!…We all feel our world has grown exponentially and so has our feeling of joy and hope! I wake up feeling excited about life and its possibilities. I wake up with a smile – my heart feels light – and I allow myself to dream – to dream big like Bernard – because I have experienced at first hand that even the seemingly most impossible dream can come true! And Bernard, his family and I feel humbled in a beautiful way – humbled by the humanity, care, concern, support and goodwill and nearing ‘super-powers of you Kevin and all the people involved who worked so hard to make Bernard’s wish come true and to make his experience and day so special.’ – Bernard’s Wife
To learn more about Clare’s Wish Foundation, visit their website here.
