Supporting Children Like Saoirse: Over €81,000 Raised for LauraLynn Through Micro-Donations

Partnering with Pennies

In under a year, since September 2025, Pennies has proudly supported LauraLynn through micro-donations from Pennies merchant partners, including SSP and Superdrug. With over €81,000 granted through a total donation volume of 384K, these micro-donations have helped support children and families in need during their stay at LauraLynn.

LauraLynn’s holistic approach to care ensures the whole family is supported, enabling patients to be children and parents to have time to be Mums and Dads rather than full-time carers. LauraLynn, now in its 15th year, provides symptom management, planned short breaks, emergency and end-of-life care, as well as family supports and bereavement care to children with life-limiting conditions and their family units across Ireland. Saoirse’s story is one to highlight how these micro-donations are vital in supporting families and children.

Saoirse’s Story

At just 6 weeks old, Saoirse was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called lissencephaly, meaning “smooth brain”. Her first year was a struggle, with Saoirse sometimes enduring hundreds of seizures in just a few hours. Her parents feared she would not see her first birthday, yet they managed to spend seven years with her.

Exhausted by the demands of providing round-the-clock care, Saoirse’s parents were introduced to LauraLynn. Although they initially felt reluctant to seek help, it soon became one of the most important decisions they made as a family.

From their first visit to LauraLynn, her parents were able to feel at ease and a sense of confidence in the ability for them to rest and spend time as a family.

LauraLynn’s staff loved Saoirse like their own. The team at LauraLynn cared for Saoirse during the time her younger sister was born.

Saoirse spent six Christmases with her family creating cherished memories that brought joy and comfort through the challenging times they faced. Those precious moments together were made possible by the support LauraLynn provided throughout Saoirse’s life. Saoirse sadly passed away a few months later, 8 days before her birthday. Two nurses from LauraLynn arrived to provide comfort, showing how this wasn’t just a service but a family.

“Every year, we hang three stockings on the mantlepiece. One for Fiadh. One for Odhran. And a special one for our beautiful daughter, Saoirse. It means so much to us to be able to say that Saoirse spent every Christmas of her short life at home with us. We will cherish those memories forever.”

— Jason & Naomi, Saoirse’s parents

Pennies & LauraLynn – Lasting Impact

Pennies and LauraLynn’s partnership has been and will continue to create a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of children with life limiting conditions and their families. LauraLynn is Ireland’s only children’s hospice, providing care and support for families such as Saoirse’s.

Saoirse’s story demonstrates the extraordinary impact that micro-donations can have. Every time a customer chooses to donate through Pennies, they help charities like LauraLynn provide vital support to families facing some of life’s most difficult challenges.

How you can benefit from Pennies

Contact us today and become part of the Pennies family, where every micro-donation adds up to make a positive difference for charities across the UK and beyond. Let’s ensure everyone with life limiting conditions have access to the care and support they deserve.