Wexford Family To Hold ‘Dance for Isla’ Fundraiser In Honour Of Six-Year-Old

A Wexford family mourning the loss of six-year-old Isla Furlong are holding a special fundraiser in her honour tomorrow evening.

The ‘Dance for Isla’ event will take place at Rathangan Hall tomorrow, Friday September 25th, from 6.30pm to 9pm.

The fundraiser is being held as part of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’s Power Hour, with Isla’s family wanting to give back to the organisation which supported them throughout her treatment and final months at home.

Isla’s mum Susie described her daughter as “an absolute ticket, an absolute character”.

She says Isla had a unique outlook on life, recalling how children in her playschool were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up.

“Isla said when I grow up I want to be myself,” she said.

Susie says that was typical of Isla, who she describes as someone who could make people laugh without ever offending anyone.

She says Jack and Jill were there for the family from the very beginning of Isla’s diagnosis, providing practical help, nursing care and emotional support.

“They were with us from the very start and unfortunately right up until Isla’s final weeks and days,” Susie said.

The idea for the dance came from Isla’s love of music and dancing with her family on Friday nights.

Susie says Isla would put on the disco light, shout at Alexa to play her favourite tunes and get everyone dancing around the kitchen.

“She didn’t care what way anyone looked or what went on as long as she got a laugh,” she said.

The family decided a disco would be a fitting way to remember Isla, giving her friends, classmates and clubmates the chance to have fun in her memory.

Susie says the response to the fundraiser has been overwhelming.

The family has also set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised more than €7,000 - far surpassing its original €500 target.

She says the support has brought “tears of pride” and that the family knows exactly what the money can mean to other families facing similar circumstances.

Jack and Jill provides in-home nursing care and support to families caring for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Every €20 raised can help provide an hour of nursing care for a family supported by the foundation.

Susie says Isla would have loved seeing the community come together in her memory.

“I know she’s up there looking down and I know she’s thinking, ‘Wow, I’m famous this week’,” she said.

The family is encouraging people to come along to Rathangan Hall tomorrow evening, or simply to ‘Dance for Isla’ wherever they are.

You can donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/susiemcdonald