Caoimhe is a Fashion Model for a day

14 years old Caoimhe O’ Neill from Dukes meadows, Kilkenny is like any girl her age she loves fashion, clothes and make-up. Unfortunately, unlike most 14 year olds she suffers from aortic regurgitation, asthma and Sjorgens syndrome. Also, in April this year she was diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid factor positive.

Her sister Aoibhinn wrote to Share a Dream to make Caoimhe‘s fondest dream come true as she is denied so much that most young girls her age take for granted. “Caoimhe dreams of having a VIP girly day be pampered and feel like a top model” she said. So, Caoimd had the opportunity to meet her own Personal Shopper Karen Morrissey and other models from Assets, to do what was necessary to get her ready to walk the cat walk. 

Full of confidence the new Caoimhe made her debut to being a top model at the Black Friday Fashion Extravaganza in the Mac Donagh Shopping Centre where she received a standing ovation.

According to top model and stylist Karen Fitzgerald Caoimhe was a natural and Mum and sister agreed.

Christmas dream for Alexandra

Alexandra is a beautiful little 5yr old from Kilmallock Co. Limerick who like most girls her age loves Princesses. However, sadly this little Princess was diagnosed with a terrible cancer called “Rhabdomyosarcoma", spending the last 4yrs of her young life fighting this terrible disease.

Alexandra’s Mum Tracy contacted Share a Dream to ask if one of her little girl’s dreams could come true. She said: "Share a dream do incredible things for very sick children like our Alexandra and anything you can do to give us all a lift this Christmas would be a memory we would always cherish.”

So, Alexandra with her 4yr old sister Vanessa and mum Tracy were collected by limo at their home in Effin and travel to Kilmallock along with a cavalcade of vehicles. There a parade took place where hundreds of locals lined the streets so that the community can share in this little Princess’s dream day.

After the parade Alexandra, her sister and her mum got their hair, nails and make up done and met Princess Elsa and Anna who presented them with their own Princess dresses and got them all dressed up before heading into the Ball room.

At the Charleville Park hotel she was greeted by all her little school friends, family and relatives and a fantastic show took place followed by a special meet and greet with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and all the gang who travelled from Disney to meet Princess Alexandra.

Finally, she met the big man himself Santa Claus who presented Alexandra and her sister Vanessa with a huge gift hamper.

Santa joined all the Princesses, Disney characters, family and friends on the floor to finish an absolutely magical dream day for a unique angel.

Princess Dream Comes True for Eoin

Four year old Eoin Stewart from Ballybeg, Waterford was diagnosed with Cancer last year.

Eoin has a tumour in the liver (rhabdomyosarcoma), has undergone 9 cycles of chemotherapy, travelled to London during the summer for 30 sessions of radiotherapy and still has more MRIs and scans to undergo.

His birthday was on the 16^th of November when he turned 4 years old but as he was in hospital he couldn’t celebrate it. So, his mum Emma contacted Share a Dream to see if the Dream Team could visit him in his home with two Princesses.

Eoin loves Princesses as after he lost most of his hair he became infatuated with long hair, which is exactly what beautiful Princesses have.

So, on the 21^st November the Dream Team headed off to Waterford to meet Eoin, his family and friends. Eoin and his sister Abigale spent the day showing the Princesses around his house along with Mickey Mouse and Woody. Later he brought the Princesses into the Dream Machine to play with all the magical toys.

Family time for The Buckley's

The Buckley family consist of Mum, Dad and 4 boys Cian, Alex, Dylan and Charlie. However, unlike most “normal” families three of the boys Cian, Alex and Dylan and their Dad have a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis type 1. It is a rare genetic condition and presents differently in each person.

14yr old Cian’s condition is more severe than his younger brothers and at the tender age of 16 weeks Cian suffered his first extensive stroke which caused his right hemepirisis (right sided weakness).

Alex now aged 11years and Dylan now aged 9 years old, both developed cafe au lait spots (birth marks) when they were12 weeks old which are the tell-tale sign of N.F1 as there is no affirmative clinical test. Also, they have severe dyslexia and a significant speech delay but they wont let any of these daily challenges stop them.

Their elder brother Charlie often takes a back seat and he is not just a big brother, he has also become their carer and one of their most important supports. He doesn't often if ever get the true recognition he deserves.

As a family the Buckley’s have gone and are still going through so much. Therefore, as Cian and all his brothers love the W5 and the Titantic and have always wanted to visit Belfast to see both places, Share a Dream surprised them with a magical break to this beatiful city.

Courageous David

David Hutch is an extraordinary courageous 10yr old boy who has suffered continuously since the day he was born fighting Vacterl Syndrome, a terrible illness which affects his heart and lungs.

When his Aunt Alison contacted Shay Kinsella of Share a Dream, Shay immediately wanted to help. Alison asked for a magical day for the entire family to remember and give them some special memories. David’s hero is Stampylongnose so if he too could appear on the day as David would be too ill to travel to see him.

On Sunday the 18^th of October David his brother Adam, sister Shannon and his parents Vanessa & David were collected by Limo and chauffeured to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.

There they assited a very special party & concert with Boyband Taken, Jill O Neill School of Dance, characters Mickey, Donald, Woody, etc.

David, who was nominated for a Share a Dream National Children of Courage Award later in the year received an award along with his special dream, his hero Stampylongnose of Minecraft made an appearance to give David a special message!