Ice Cream Fundays 2025
Ice Cream Fundays Are Back!
We are delighted to announce that Ice Cream Fundays are BACK! Join us this June to support children with Down syndrome in Ireland by hosting an Ice Cream Funday in your home, workplace or school. Sign up today!
What are Ice Cream Fundays?
The iconic fundraiser invites people to host ice cream parties in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.
The beloved fundraising event, which has raised vital funds to support people with Down syndrome for 20 years, took a break during the pandemic and returned last year and will be bigger and better again for 2025.
This year, actress and singer Alisha Weir, was joined by young members of Down Syndrome Ireland to launch the campaign.
When is the fundraiser taking place?
Taking place from June 16th – 20th, schools, families, neighbours and friend groups are invited to host a party in their school, their home, the park, or anywhere they like, to have fun, enjoy ice cream and donate to Down Syndrome Ireland.
Of course, if this date doesn’t suit, you can host your ice cream party anytime.
Will you provide vouchers for free ice cream?
Not this year, however you can purchase ice cream from any store close to you for your Ice Cream Fundays party. If you are an individual or a school, you can take the cost out of the fundraising amount that you’ve raised or you can choose to donate 100% to Down Syndrome Ireland.
How it works
1. Register your Ice Cream party here
2. Set up your fundraising page
During registration, we will automatically create a fundraising page for you to share with family and friends ahead of the big day
3. Receive your fundraising resources
Once you are registered, we will send you your very own fundraising pack which includes a coin box, balloons and posters. We also have some downloadable resources here, including bunting, invitations, as well as ice cream toppers!
4. Host your party!
Did someone say ICE CREAM?! Make sure to give people their invitations for the party ahead of time. Decorate with your bunting and ice cream toppers.
5. Share, Share, Share
Make sure to take some pictures of your party, share them on your socials and tag @DownSyndromeIreland. We also have some tiles you can share on your socials too.
6. Lodge your funds
Funds come in lots of ways, click here to see all the ways you can lodge those vital funds.
Why should you fundraise?
Support Ice Cream Fundays so that every child can scream for Ice Cream.
Communication is a human right, and we want every child to be able to communicate their needs to those around them. But we need your help. There is a severe shortage of Speech and Language therapy appointments, and the system in Ireland is failing this generation. In 2023 there were 19,000 children waiting for assessments, which delays and impacts their chances of communicating.
In 2024, Down Syndrome Ireland developed an innovative Speech and Language Therapy Assistants programme to ensure no child is left behind.
Under this programme, children with Down syndrome are getting weekly speech and language support. This has changed lives. Since September 2024, nearly 4,000 sessions have been provided in 9 counties. As of 2025, we are now providing speech and language therapy support to 17 counties. We are not reaching enough children, and we need your help. We want every child who needs our help to have immediate access to consistent therapy.
Fundraising just €16 could cover the cost of one speech and language therapy assistant session, and €765 could cover a full year for a child’s appointments.
