Dave and Imelda’s goal is to reach €400,000 by end of this week

Kind hearted Liveline listeners responded with incredible generosity this afternoon on RTÉ Radio 1 when a couple, Dave and Imelda, approached the show and pledged to give €200,000 to children’s hospice Laura Lynn if that figure could be matched through donations made by the public.

Within minutes of the call-out, the surge of donations was so large that the Laura Lynn website crashed, with approximately €1,000 being raised per minute.

By the end of the show, there was €80,000 raised, which when doubled becomes €160,000. Dave and Imelda’s goal is to reach €400,000 by end of this week – they have themselves set aside €200,000 for the charity.

Dave said: ‘We felt we’d like to do something. A dying child every parents’ nightmare. We were blown away by these people and the work they do. This is such an important charity.’

Imelda added: ‘One of our girls was in Crumlin hospital for 11 weeks…our daughter played with a little girl in the next room who sadly didn’t make it. A few years ago I saw a documentary on television about Laura Lynn. I stood there frozen, it brought it all back to me. I thought: there by the grace of god go I. We’re trying to bring a bit of relief for parents going through hell.’

A flood of heart-breaking and heart-warming stories about the charity were shared throughout the programme.

One father, John, recalled his family’s experience when their little boy Leo died in 2013: ‘The staff were incredible. It was an astonishing place. We’re eternally grateful.’ He spoke about their meticulous care and attention that meant so much. And of his son’s smiles.

Alan Nelson of Navan Furniture came on to talk to Joe about his fundraising efforts for the charity that has seen him and his team raise over €100,000 over the past number of years, he said:

"I went to deliver a consignment of furniture to a childrens’ hospice about thirteen years ago.

“I was delivering 14 chairs for the factory. The address I was given was the ‘Childrens’ Sunshine Home, Leopardstown.’ I had never heard of it.

"I was invited to have a walk around part of the hospice and what I saw was really heartbreaking.

“I couldn’t believe I didn’t even know about this place and as I was driving home I said to myself: ‘If it’s the last thing I do I’m going to get my act together and do some fund-raising for LauraLynn.’”

Since that day Alan Nelson has embarked on a journey that has involved him running various fund-raising events for LauraLynn Childrens’ Hospice (which incorporates the Sunshine Home) - and raising many thousands of euros in the process.

Listeners can continue to donate to the Liveline appeal across the week by texting LAURALYNN to 50300 (Texts cost €4 and at least €3.60 will go straight to the charity). Alternatively they can donate via the website http://www.lauralynn.ie/donate