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Family of Wicklow girl (8) with rare genetic condition overwhelmed by support

Family of Wicklow girl (8) with rare genetic condition overwhelmed by support

Stella is the daughter of Anna and Conor Leonard of Moneystown and shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), which is a genetic condition caused by missing or faulty genes on chromosome 15 and is characterised by a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms.
'Team Stella' organised a fundraising coffee morning and raffle, which took place on Sunday in Moneystown Community Hall, which ended up raising over €7,500 for the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Ireland.
Stella's mother Anna said: 'Words cannot express how much everyone's kindness and support mean to us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who donated, helped, and joined us on the day.
'Stella hasn't stopped talking about it, and we're so grateful for everything. It went beyond what we could have imagined. What started as a small community gathering turned into an amazing display of support, love, and generosity.'
The morning was filled with fruit, cakes and bakes, while the talented Esther from 'The Risky Chicks' also put on a special performance. All the kids in attendance had a blast with the play corner—painting stones, tattoos and playing games, while the sweet and popcorn shop proved a massive hit.
Anna stated: 'Possibly the most cherished part of the morning was Stella's calm corner, where people could take a moment to relax. Stella truly made the most of this space.'
She added: 'What made this day even more special was the incredible turnout. We never expected such a large gathering, and it was heartening to see so many people coming together. The community spirit was truly infectious. We were especially moved by the support from Stella's friends with PWS, who travelled from Kildare, Greystones, and Wicklow just to be with us.'
'Team Stella' also offers a huge thanks to everyone who ensured the event ran smoothly, whether it was selling raffle tickets, assisting with the clean up, or lending a hand wherever needed.
'We'd also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Timmons and Leonard families for their incredible support, and to principal Ms Morris and deputy principal Ms Durston, of Moneystown National School, for looking after everyone with teas and coffees, and a special thank you to Bruno, our teddy mascot, for keeping everyone entertained and spreading even more fun throughout the day,' said Anna.
Local businesses also generously donated some great raffle prizes, which ensured that everyone left the coffee morning with a smile on their face.
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I quit my ‘ridiculously stressful' UK teaching job for one in France – overtime is banned & there's NO admin
I quit my ‘ridiculously stressful' UK teaching job for one in France – overtime is banned & there's NO admin

The Irish Sun

time15 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I quit my ‘ridiculously stressful' UK teaching job for one in France – overtime is banned & there's NO admin

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I exposed one of the darkest secrets in Irish history after discovering sickening fate of brothers I never knew I had
I exposed one of the darkest secrets in Irish history after discovering sickening fate of brothers I never knew I had

The Irish Sun

time5 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

I exposed one of the darkest secrets in Irish history after discovering sickening fate of brothers I never knew I had

IT was not until her fifties that 'only child' Anna Corrigan discovered she actually had two older brothers she never knew – and could never know. Both boys had died as infants at St Mary's Mother and Baby Home in the west of Ireland, and became two of an estimated 796 babies secretly buried in a septic tank beneath the site. 8 There are an estimated 796 babies secretly buried in a septic tank beneath St Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland Credit: Getty 8 Anna Corrigan discovered she actually had two older brothers she never knew Credit: 2020 Ray Ryan,All rights reserved. 8 Anna's mother Bridget had two sons who died at St Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland Credit: Supplied The home, run by Catholic order of nuns The Bon Secours Sisters between 1925 and 1961, took in women — often the victims of rape — who got pregnant out of marriage. It is believed a child died there every TWO WEEKS. Now, ten years after the scandal first hit headlines in 2014, work to excavate the mass grave will finally begin on Monday. Speaking at the grounds of She said: 'I was an only child, but now I'm a third child. "God only knows how that feels. I used to think I was special, unique, but that too has changed.' Hunger and neglect She also reflected on the trauma her mother would have experienced in the home, adding: 'How did you feel being away from your family, ostracised from your village and giving birth to your children alone?'. Bridget gave birth to John Desmond Dolan on February 22, 1946, weighing in at a healthy nine pounds. Most read in Irish News However, an inspection report retrieved by Anna and dated April 1947, described a 13-month-old John as 'a miserable, emaciated child with a voracious appetite and no control over his bodily functions'. Little John died two months later. 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'We want to make sure the families of these babies understand exactly what is happening and aren't surprised by anything that happens. "Then they can give their babies a proper and dignified burial.' 8 It is believed a child died at the home every TWO WEEKS Credit: Getty 8 Work to excavate the mass grave will finally begin on Monday Credit: AP In response to the scandal, the Bon Secours Sisters previously issued an apology. It read: 'We did not live up to our Christianity when running the home. 'We failed to respect the inherent dignity of the women and children who came to the home. "We failed to offer them the compassion that they so badly needed. 'We were part of the system in which they suffered hardship, loneliness and terrible hurt. 'We acknowledge in particular that infants and children who died at the home were buried in a disrespectful and unacceptable way. Read more on the Irish Sun 'For all that, we are deeply sorry.' 8 The home was located in the town of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.

Influencer mum-of-4 slammed for 'embarrassing' style choices aged 37 insists she won't stop wearing beloved belly tops
Influencer mum-of-4 slammed for 'embarrassing' style choices aged 37 insists she won't stop wearing beloved belly tops

The Irish Sun

time28-06-2025

  • The Irish Sun

Influencer mum-of-4 slammed for 'embarrassing' style choices aged 37 insists she won't stop wearing beloved belly tops

AN INFLUENCER mum who's regularly trolled over her wardrobe choices has insisted she won't stop wearing her beloved belly tops. Anna Saccone Joly regularly shares videos and pictures of herself and her family - husband Jonathan and their four kids - on her social media pages. Advertisement 2 Anna Saccone Joly has been slammed online for wearing crop tops at "nearly 40" Credit: TikTok/@annasaccone 2 Her wardrobe has changed dramatically since her mummy makeover in August 2023 Credit: TikTok/@annasaccone But she's found herself targeted over her wardrobe, which has included a tonne of crop tops since she had a "mummy makeover", including a tummy tuck, in August 2023. Lots of people in the comments on Anna's videos have insisted she's too old, at 37, to be wearing the stomach-baring ensembles. "The belly tops are embarrassing at nearly 40," one person insisted. "Give your children's clothes back to them!" another added. Advertisement Read more Style stories "If you don't like others comments & opinions…" a third commented. "Stop flaunting it over social media then - go be a mother to your kids instead of trying to be one of them!!!" However, YouTuber and influencer Anna hit back at the comments as she lip-synced along to Billy Joel's My Life, pretending to sing: "I don't care what you say anymore this is my life. "Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone!" Advertisement Most read in Fabulous "I guess I didn't realise we were meant to dress like old maids in our late 30s," she added in the caption. And others agreed with her in the comments section Woman Undergoes 5 Life-Changing Surgeries "You can never be too old to wear a belly top," one wrote in the comments. "Agree!" Anna replied. Advertisement "So pretty and even with surgery you should be able to show off you new look," another added. "I would wear one in winter if I was you!" a third said. "We spend our entire young lives being judged for what we wear and look like," someone else commented. "Getting to a point where you are comfortable and confident in a style that works for you is the goal. Advertisement How to blast belly fat WITHOUT going to the gym or dieting Chew your food This mindfulness trick is used to focus your brain on the food you are eating - how it tastes and feels - rather than scoffing it in a hurry. If the brain does not register that you have eaten, you'll soon crave more food. Avocado a day Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which collects around the organs in the stomach and can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and some cancers, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 105 people. Avoid fizzy drinks Losing belly 'fat' may just be a case of preventing Reduce alcohol Alcohol does Hangovers can also lead you to eat more fatty foods, while putting you off exercising. Sleep more Various studies have shown that if you're People are more likely to crave junk food when they are sleep deprived because, not only are they in need of an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place. Reduce stress Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid the so-called 'stress belly'. "I recently lost some weight and now wear tops similar to this. "I'm 37 and have spent literally DECADES hating my body - I freaking earned the right to wear whatever the hell I want." "You look great, it's flattering on you," another said. Advertisement "Clothing doesn't have specific ages. Not sure why anyone cares lol!" "I'm 36 and wear whatever I like!" someone else wrote. "I WILL NOT LIVE MY LIFE IN THE OPINION OF OTHERS!! All the haters are just JEALOUS!!! PERIOD." "If I looked as good as you, I'd be rocking that outfit everyday," another commented. Advertisement "You do you hun!"

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