Former Miss World Rosanna Davison got to grips with a rare Maserati MC20 along with Alex Dunne from Wicklow and Cannonball founder Alan Bannon to announce that the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is the official charity partner for Cannonball 2024. Brave little Alex was born with PVL (Periventricular Leukomalacia) which is a type of brain injury. Alex is the only known human in the world to have the two specific genetic chromosomal deletions that have caused his condition, and he and his family are just one of the 416 familiesacross Ireland currently under the care of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which will be the charity beneficiary of the Cannonball supercar event.
The action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll on September 6th-8th from Johnstown Estate in Enfield taking in Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Leitrim and finishes in Trim Co Meath. Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet from the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to the grace and elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati. The brand-new Lamborghini Revoulto will be unveiled in Ireland for the very first time and over 200,000 spectators are expected with free family festivals organised from coast to coast.
Dancing with the Stars alum, Rosanna Davison, said: “As a mum of three, I can only begin to imagine the challenges faced by Jack and Jill families across Ireland, like the Dunnes, who have children with such complex medical needs. I am thrilled to lend my support to Jack and Jill and I know that Cannonball will bring a fantastic spectacle once again around the country and look forward to bring my own family to enjoy Cannonball when it comes to the beautiful Powerscourt Estate in Wicklow in September.”
Cannonball has already raised €1,638,432 for Irish Children’s Charities and brings a unique and inimitable electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country making it a widely anticipatedfree family event for spectators. This year the official charity of Cannonball is the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation – an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care, respite support for children from birth to six years of age with severe learning disability associated with complex medical need. Typically, these children may be tube fed, oxygen dependent, may not sleep, take seizures, need a lot of medication and require around-the-clock care.
Understandably, their parents can be exhausted and need a break, which is where Jack and Jill comesin. Jack and Jill’s service operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list. Another key part of the service is end-of-life-care for all children up to the age six, irrespective of diagnosis, empowering parents to take their child home to die at this most difficult time. There are currently 416 children and their families under the care of Jack and Jill right across the country and the charity’s mission is to empower parents to care for their child at home, because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child.
Cannonball offers spectators a unique opportunity to witness the world’s most prestigious and sought-after supercars up close and enjoy the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for. The Brazilian Dancers, giant screens, music and fanfare brings all the glamour of carnival and live DJs, bands and festivals in host towns around the country get the party started. The Cannonballers and celebrities in colourful costumes add to the melee. From Spiderman to Star Wars, Cat Woman to Wonder Woman, cheerleaders to Charlie’s Angels, Batman, the Joker and more; it is a totally unique free family day out. This year, organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress with prizes for best dressed.
Cannonball was founded by Kildare businessman Alan Bannon and the benefit to the host towns for this event is estimated at €2,567,000 per year. Cannonball is fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K as the main headline Sponsor for 2024 and all official fuel stops on the route where spectators can see the cars will be announced in the coming days. The Tour Sponsor this year is Apache Pizza and Cannonball official partners include Karl Goodwin Motors, AB Signs, HONE Energy and Majestic Ireland Road Trips. See cannonball.ie
