Following the birth of their son, Harry, the McKee family faced an unimaginable challenge after he was diagnosed with several serious and complex medical conditions, requiring specialist treatment and major surgery at Children's Health Ireland in Dublin.
During Harry's treatment, Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland became a lifeline for the family, providing them with a home away from home for 97 nights and allowing them to remain close to Harry throughout his hospital stay.
Inspired by the support they received, the McKee family are now raising funds to help ensure other families facing similar circumstances can benefit from the same care and compassion.
A charity collection will take place during the Official Opening Ceremony, with collection points also located throughout the event.
Competitors, teams, officials, marshals, volunteers and spectators are all encouraged to support this worthwhile cause.
And for those unable to attend, donations can also be made via the McKee family's official fundraising page
Every donation will help Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland continue providing accommodation and vital support to families with seriously ill children.
In their appeal, Adam McKee says: ‘Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland is something that has become incredibly personal to me and my family.
‘What should have been the happiest period of our lives quickly became one of the most challenging journeys we have ever faced following the birth of our son, Harry Jack McKee.
‘Shortly after Harry was born, we were told he had multiple serious and complex medical conditions, including severe tracheal stenosis, severe pulmonary stenosis, an LPA sling, and a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
‘Within days, our world changed completely.
‘We were transferred between hospitals before eventually arriving at CHI Dublin, where Harry would undergo major surgery and begin a long road to recovery’.
Adam added that ‘nothing prepares you for hearing that your newborn child needs life-saving treatment’.
“The weeks and months that followed were filled with fear, uncertainty, exhaustion and emotional strain,” adds the appeal.
"Days blended into nights while we tried to stay strong for Harry and support one another through a situation no parent ever expects to face.
"During our 97 nights here, Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland became far more than just accommodation close to the hospital — it became a lifeline.
"It became a sanctuary where we could escape the stress of hospital life for no matter how short a time.
"It became a social hub for us as parents talking to parents in a similar situation. It became a social hub for our daughter Sophie, where she was able to make friends and retain a somewhat normal life throughout all the madness.
"Being able to stay close to Harry while he received treatment meant everything to us. Instead of facing long journeys, sleeping in waiting rooms or being separated from our baby during the most critical moments of his life, we were given a place where we could rest, gather ourselves emotionally and remain only moments away from the hospital.
"What many people may not realise is that when families go through situations like this, it is often the small things that make the biggest difference — having a bed to sleep in, a warm shower, a kitchen to prepare food, a quiet moment away from the hospital environment, or simply being surrounded by people who understand what you are going through.
‘Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland provided all of that and more.
‘The support we received during one of the darkest periods of our lives is something we will never forget. They gave us comfort, stability and the ability to remain together as a family when we needed it most.
‘This fundraiser is our opportunity to give something back.
‘By raising funds, I hope to help ensure other families experiencing medical emergencies with their children can receive the same support, care and compassion that helped us through our own journey.
‘Harry continues to inspire us every single day with his strength, resilience and determination. Watching such a small child fight so bravely changes your outlook on life forever, and it has made me determined to use our experience to help others wherever possible.
‘Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a genuine difference to families facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
‘From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story, for supporting this amazing charity, and for helping families stay close when they need each other most. Adam McKee & Family’
