High Five for Conall

Conall Shiels was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that builds up in the ventricles of the brain. He is a 24 hour palliative  care child.

The prognosis for surviving past birth was poor. For Kieran and Aoife his parents, this was the most devastating news. 

The good news however is that Conall is a fighter and has survived and astounded all who care for him, as he is a remarkable and special  little boy.


Conall is 5 months away from his 5th birthday and the friends of Conall campaign "High 5 for Conall" is being set up to help adapt the family home which needs extensive renovations to help provide for Conall into the future. 

What a 5th birthday  present this would be if we can get the help of the whole Letterkenny & Donegal communities to help the Shiels' in their hour of need.


The Shiels family have coped thus far due to great supports from their family members, friends and from  the Jack & Jill foundation and the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, the HSE and the Donegal Hospice but when Conall reaches the age of 5 some of the supports from these organisations will  CEASE, as Conall will be 5 years old, yet his care demands will remain the same.

Kieran and Aoife are primary school teachers and  they don't meet the criteria for funding avenues, so they now must set out on the road of raising the monies needed to help their son. 


The friends of Conall group want to help them and raise these vital funds, so that Kieran and Aoife and their other children Cara and Senan and Conall can get on with a better quality of life. We do not want them to be constantly wondering if can they cope with the financial strain of a home adaptation.

The friends of Conall have sought quotes and are looking to provide Conall with a fully furnished room to the "Laura Lynn" specification standard, where Conall goes for respite from time to time. We want to raise €55,555 (all the 5s for Conall) and carry out and complete work before his 5th birthday.

Please help us make this a dream come true for a little boy who really deserves something amazing for his 5th birthday.

If anyone feels they have a trade or a skill that would help us to get this renovation over the line in time and would like to help, please contact Chairperson of Friends of Conall, Siobhan Bradley through FB or Alma Kavanagh, Secretary through FB. Many thanks.