Rachel Allen joins Down Syndrome Ireland and HB Hazelbrook Farm to launch the 2018 HB Fundays Campaign

25 April 2018

Who can resist a party? Particularly if it includes some friends sharing a little magic over some delicious HB Hazelbrook Farm ice cream while supporting a very worthy cause! Celebrity chef Rachel Allen was on hand today to bring all of these ingredients together, as she announced the details of this year’s HB Fundays campaign which calls on the public to raise much needed funds for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) by hosting a party with HB Hazelbrook Farm ice cream.

This year, DSI and HB Hazelbrook Farm hope to raise €350,000 from the HB Fundays campaign, with funds raised going towards educational support for children with Down syndrome. The funds raised will give these children the very best start in life, with an education that suits their individual needs and prepares them for independent living.

Celebrating the very first HB Fundays Party of 2018, Rachel was joined by children and young adults with Down syndrome along with their parents which took place at King’s Hospital Secondary School in Palmerstown, Co. Dublin. Friends and local businesses joined the very special day, which saw attendees learn to make fun ice cream treats and enjoy party games with Rachel, all while receiving great ideas on how to host a HB Fundays Party of their own.

Speaking about the 2018 Fundays campaign, Rachel Allen, a staunch supporter of Down Syndrome Ireland for years, said: “This is my second time launching HB Fundays and I am delighted to be part of the initiative once more. I know first-hand, having friends and neighbours who have children with Down syndrome, how vital it is to have the correct educational supports in place. By organising your own HB Fundays Party, you can make a difference by lending your support to this important fundraising drive. After the fun that we have had today, I’m looking forward to organising my own ice cream party at home.”

Speaking about much needed funds, Fidelma Brady, Education Officer with Down Syndrome Ireland said, “The HB Fundays Campaign is a really fun way to fundraise for children with Down syndrome. The support from the public means that we can maintain the quality of advice, information and support for parents and their children on the ‘education journey’ through pre-school, primary school and post-primary school, as well as providing vital support and training for schools and teachers”.

Aoife Bambrick, Brand Manager, HB Hazelbrook Farm added: ‘We are very proud to once again partner with Down Syndrome Ireland on HB Fundays for the 17th year running. I would like to extend my thanks to Rachel Allen for lending her support to today’s launch and enabling this year’s HB Fundays campaign to get off to a delicious start! Through HB Fundays 2018, we’re asking the Irish public to bring their love both of ice cream and of a good party, by creating magical times together with friends and family, all while supporting the invaluable work of DSI’.

Down Syndrome Ireland and HB Hazelbrook Farm have been in partnership for 17 years and the HB Fundays Campaign has raised a fantastic €3.2 million to date. The HB Ice Cream Fundays parties are about having fun and taking time out with family, friends, colleagues, while enjoying Ireland’s favourite ice cream. Each HB Fundays party makes a real and lasting difference to children with Down syndrome and their families throughout Ireland. The campaign is an integral source of funding for the development of Down Syndrome Ireland’s nationwide support services.

For more information on how you can get involved in the campaign, freephone 1890 37 37 37 register online at ​www.downsyndrome.ie​ ​or email ​sorcha@downsyndrome.ie​, for a free ​HB Ice Cream Fundays pack, which includes vouchers for HB Hazelbrook Farm ice cream. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #HBFundays.