Jack and Jill Foundation Calls for Phones to be Recycled

Dublin – 05 February 2006 – The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is today calling for people across Ireland to send in old and unwanted mobile phones to the charity for recycling. More than 80,000 people have already requested a recycling envelope by calling the free phone number – 1850 525 545 – but so far only a fraction have been returned.

TV personality and the Foundation Patron, Eddie Hobbs, comments, "We are thrilled so many people have said they will donate their old mobile phones. If every person we've sent a recycling bag to does so we will be on course for reaching our target of 100,000. Please see if there are any unwanted phones in your home, school or place of work and send them in to us. Every one we receive will help Jack and Jill to care for children in desperate need of professional care."

Jonathan Irwin, Chief Executive of the Jack and Jill Foundation, comments, "It's incredible that old rubbish can be turned into a Paediatric Nurse or a vital piece of medical equipment, but it's a trick we can pull off with you help. If you haven't already done so, please call our free phone number and request a freepost envelope in which you can return your old and unwanted mobile phones. And if you already have an envelope, then please send it in – every phone we receive makes a real difference."

The Jack and Jill Foundation was launched in 1987 by Jonathan Irwin and his wife Mary Ann O'Brien after they discovered during the tragically short life of their son Jack that there were virtually no state services available to provide for babies with severe developmental problems, including cerebral palsy. The Foundation today provides twenty-four hour care for sick children and support to their families throughout Ireland. Please see http://www.jackandjill.ie/ for more information.

It is estimated that there are more than 15 million old and unwanted mobile phones in Ireland. Every year millions more phones are replaced with new models. At present less than one in 25 are recycled.

Phones can be donated by calling 1850 525 545 to request a freepost recycling envelope. People with more than 15 phones to recycle can also request a free courier collection. Further information can be found at www.folamh.ie

All mobiles collected for the Jack and Jill Foundation campaign are put to good use. Working phones are shipped to developing countries for reuse, where the huge demand far outstrips the supply of affordable new models. Damaged phones, meanwhile, are stripped down to their individual parts and recycled. Faulty batteries are sent to a special processing plant in France where they can be safely disposed of according to strict environmental guidelines.

Notes to editors
For media enquiries and interview requests please contact Guy Cookson, PR Manager
T: 086 824 3900 or guy@folamh.ie, 30 Dunsoghly Park, Ratoath Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

About the Jack and Jill Foundation
The Jack and Jill Foundation (registered charity number CHY 12405) provides early intervention home respite to families with babies up to the age of four with severe developmental delay, who require intensive medical and nursing care.