Billy Caldwell Foundation launched at Stormont
Thursday, 16 October 2008
The Billy Caldwell Foundation was launched this week at Stormont, with First Minster, Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minster, Martin McGuinness, and Iris Robinson all in attendance.
by Julie Moore
The hard work and determination of the mother of ill Omagh toddler, Billy Caldwell, was recognised during the launch of a new foundation, named in Billy's honour, which will sustain his ongoing treatment in Chicago, as well as offering financial support to other families in similar circumstances.
Charlotte Caldwell, the founder of the Billy Caldwell Foundation, marked the official launch of the new charity with her son at Stormont on Monday, joined by the First Minster, Deputy First Minister and Health Committee chair, Iris Robinson.
“It was great to see both the first minister and the deputy first minister supporting what we are trying to do.
“It's just great that they have taken Billy's story on board," she said.
“For me really, I feel, 'at long last!' It has been over a year that me and Billy have been exiled in Chicago, and now thankfully Iris Robinson, the first minister and the deputy first minister have stepped in because we all know, and we need to make this clear - the services are not here in Northern Ireland for me to bring Billy home."
In her speech to those who had gathered in the private members' dining room of Stormont to mark the momentous occasion, Iris Robinson paid special tribute to Charlotte: "It is said that 'so long as little children are allowed to suffer, there is no true love in this world'. Charlotte Caldwell's love for her little Billy is something that those who have known and met her will witness is absolutely incontestable. Her pursuit in finding Billy the best and most appropriate care is amongst the highest examples of a mother's care, and true love for her sick child.
“I first met Charlotte a year ago, when they came to Stormont to speak to the Health Committee and the Health Minister, asking help for her Billy. My initial response was as one mother to another... whose child had been given up for dead. My heart went out to Charlotte and to little Billy.
Emotion
“That strong emotion was later to be informed by the cold reality that our National Health Service had failed Billy on several levels."
Also marking the launch were the six West Tyrone MLAs, including Barry McElduff who noted a great improvement in Billy's health.
“I observed very good progress in Billy's ability to get around the room, with the help of a walking aid.
“I had seen him a year ago and it was very obvious to me that he was making good progress, which validated the determination and decision of Charlotte to take little Billy to Chicago for treatment.
“There was a positive chemistry between the First and Deputy First Ministers. Peter Robinson invited Martin McGuiness to formally launch the foundation. Political commentators were quietly observing that Billy had seemed to 'improve relations' between them!"
The next step for little Billy and his new foundation will be the auction of a three-bedroom house on Lough Melvyn, in association with Mayne Developments Ltd and Keown Auctioneers.
Tickets for the house are priced at £100, with a limited 3,000 to be sold. Tickets are available on the Billy Caldwell Foundation website, www.billycaldwellfoundation.com, or by contacting Anne Monaghan on 07777676517.
Following on from this, a Christmas Gala Ball will be held in the Mellon Country Hotel on Monday, December 26, with tickets priced at £50 for a chair or £500 for a table of 10.
Special guests at the gala event will include the All Ireland Tyrone GAA champions with the coveted Sam Maguire Cup, as well as Hugo Duncan, who will provide entertainment on the night.
Charlotte is encouraging everyone to organise their own fundraising events in a bid to help her and Billy meet their objectives for the foundation - to sustain Billy's treatment, to help other children and families in the same or similar situation, and to establish a Centre of Excellence to bring Billy and the other children from Northern Ireland home from America.
Charlotte admits that reaching these three main objectives "will take time, determination and fundraising", but never one to shy away from mere technicalities, Charlotte is hopeful that these goals will come to fruition.
For further information on any fundraising event, to donate money, or to organise a fundraising event yourself, contact Anne Monaghan on 07777676517.
