Send Barróg to someone special

Send a hug to someone special this weekend! That’s the message as the Ronald McDonald House and Cork’s Adam King have launched an appeal for people to give a hug that gives back this January.

To mark National Hugging Day 2023 on 21 January, they are asking people to send a Barróg, the Irish for hug, to someone special in their life and support families whose children are seriously ill in hospital.

All proceeds from the purchase of Barróg soft toy go directly to supporting the families of sick children staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Calling on everyone to share a big Barróg hug to loved ones is Adam King, king of the virtual hug.

Adam’s father, David King, said: “As parents who have spent a lot of time in hospital at home and abroad, we know all too well the stresses a prolonged stay caring for your child can bring.

“Your attention is very much focused on improving the outcomes for your precious child, so thinking about a roof over your head, where your next meal is coming from or when you’ll see your other children are all added worries you don't need.

“That is why we are delighted to support the wonderful work of The Ronald McDonald House. It's such a natural fit for our values as parents, as well as Adam's message of spreading love and kindness through hugs!

“Adam and his bunny, Bubby, have found a new friend in Barróg and I can confirm that Barróg is certainly up for the job of hugging the nation on 21 January this year,” he added.

The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation and a caring, supportive environment for families whose children are seriously ill at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Ireland’s largest paediatric hospital.

The Barnes-Aabo family from Cork first stayed together in the Ronald McDonald House for 604 nights while Kian was being treated for leukemia.

Dad Charlie, said: “The support we received went beyond a warm meal or a comfortable bed. Everyone saw us as the Barnes-Aabo family, not just a family with a chronically ill child. Everyone knew us as individuals in the house and it provided a sense of normalcy and strength that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

The charity also provides more than 12,000 meals a year to these families with the help of volunteers and donated produce from James Whelan Butchers, sponsors of the charity’s National Hug Day 2023 campaign.