Bruree woman is named ‘Family Carer of the Year’ at Limerick awards

A BRUREE woman has been named as Limerick Netwatch Family Carer of the Year 2023.

Aisling Sexton, from Derraulin, has been caring for her mother for the past three years as she had an underlying illness and then ended up with a very serious lung condition following a bout of Covid.

Aisling’s mother Mary spent months in intensive care but after five months she relearned all her motor skills such as walking and talking.

She has been cared for at home since June 2022.

Mary's medical condition necessitates life-long use of oxygen as she has very poor lung function.

She requires a lung transplant for life to improve and before being put on a transplant list certain changes needed to be made to her home.

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Despite the fact that Aisling is currently studying for her Leaving Cert in 2024, taking six higher level subjects, she took on the fundraising task last year in 2022, to fund raise to try and get €30,000 to pay for these adaptations as well as medical expenses for her mother.

Aisling achieved this within the year and managed to fundraise €31,000 for her mother.

The Limerick Carer of the Year Award 2023 presentation will take place this Wednesday November 8, at 4.30pm at the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Gerard Mitchell will be making the Limerick Netwatch Family Carer of the Year 2023 presentation to Aisling.

Aisling will now be entered into the Family Carers Ireland regional finals next Wednesday, November 15, where 26 county finalist nominations will be judged.

The four regional finalists selected will attend the National ceremony in Dublin.

From these four regional recipients, one overall person will be announced the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year 2023 on Thursday November 30 in the Westin Hotel, Dublin.

This national event at the end of the month in Dublin will be hosted by RTE personality Miriam O'Callaghan.