The lives of children with disabilities in Louth have been transformed thanks to the efforts of one kind-hearted man.

John Hanlon passed away in 2008, but his vision for a respite facility in the county was realised when the Maria Goretti Children’s Respite Centre opened in Lordship this May. Before the centre opened, children and their families had to travel to Dublin for care.

John was inspired to establish a centre in Louth after meeting Jodi Traynor who has cerebral palsy

“My dad suffered with motor neurone disease and through that he came in contact with Jodi and her parents, Sean and Joanne,” explains John’s daughter, Caroline Hanlon.

“He saw the 24-hour care they gave Jodi and he wanted to help out. Jodi would have gone to a respite centre in Dublin for three days at a time, which is great for her and the family, but it takes the best part of a day to travel up and down, leaving only one day free,” she adds.

“Daddy was very kind-hearted and put everyone’s needs before his own. Jodi got into his heart and that’s when the project started.”

John, who was from Cooley and ran a transport company, started planning the facility in 2004. A site was donated by the late Monica McDermott to build in Lordship.

“Dad started speaking to the HSE and set up a board to see what services were available. He found there was no respite care centre in the area,” says Caroline. “He thought a new build was the best option, rather than renovating an existing house. He drew up the plans but it wasn’t for him to see out.”

After John died, his family decided to honour his memory by finishing the work he started.

“It took time for us to rebuild ourselves, but we realised it was a dream he wanted to see fulfilled,” says Caroline. “In 2011, we established a board of trustees and put a structure in place for charity status.”

After years of fundraising, the centre opened, complete with eight bedrooms, a sensory room and a playground. RehabCare has provided staff, with each child assessed by the HSE before receiving respite.

A total of 29 families are currently using its day care services during the weekend, and it is envisaged that the centre will accommodate overnight stays later this year, with children getting three days in a row, several times per year.

“This is here for life and it’s been done up to a very high standard and to the quality it needs to be for the children,” Caroline continues.

It cost over one million euro to build, but more money is needed to furnish the facility. At the moment, there are four rooms fitted out, with a further four in need of completion.

“We want to get the public behind it,” says Caroline. “Nobody owns the centre, it belongs to everyone. We need to look after it for the families and children who need it.

“There has been such a great response in the north east,” she adds. “People are so delighted to have something closer to home. The support and relief it will give to families will be second to none.

“It’s just unfortunate that my dad wasn’t here to see the finished product. We wouldn’t have come this far without him.”

Jodi’s mother Joanne says the Maria Goretti Centre will make a big difference in their lives.

“It’s all about giving families a break so they can recharge their batteries. When you’re caring for a child with a disability 24/7, you really need a break. Respite helps us cope,” she says.

“However, the weekend is gone once we bring her to Dublin and collect her again. It’s great to have a centre in Louth and to be close in case anything happens.”

Jodi, who turned 13 in June, is completely dependent on the care of her parents.

“Any child with a disability needs a lot of care, but their parents need a break to be able to continue doing it,” says Joanne. “We live quite close to the Hanlons and they were always aware of how difficult it was for us. People who don’t have a child with a disability don’t realise how hard it is, but John was really sympathetic and could empathise with us.

“There are so many kids in Louth who need this. We’re thrilled to have this centre.”

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so by contacting the Maria Goretti Foundation on 042-9373-136 or email mariagorettifoundation@gmail.com.