Background to the MDI-Ollie Hickey Fund
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) supports people with neuromuscular conditions in accessing opportunities and specialised resources that enhance independence and inclusion, enabling them to fully participate in society and reach their full potential. MDI does this by offering financial support through the Ollie Hickey Fund. MDI – Ireland’s national organisation providing support to people with neuromuscular conditions – recognises that appropriate financial supports are essential in order for people with these conditions to develop the skills and avail of the opportunities to participate in society. We have therefore launched this funding initiative, which aims to support people with neuromuscular conditions to access equipment or further education in an area of interest to them.
Funding is available for activities or items that enable the member to fully participate in society and assist them to reach their full potential. Applications that involve the creative arts or music will be viewed with particular interest due to their creative nature and in the spirit of the Ollie Hickey Fund.
We are very grateful to Ollie Hickey's family who carry out ongoing fundraising to support this Fund
About Ollie Hickey
In 2023, Paddy Hickey, Ollie’s dad, walked over 200km, from Castlebar to Enfield, to raise awareness about the neuromuscular condition Bethlem myopathy, and raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.
Ollie was four when he was given the diagnosis of Bethlem myopathy, a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. Despite his condition, Ollie leads a full life. He loves music and is a keen drummer and member of a music academy. He also attends ‘Football for All’ and he likes playing PlayStation and cycling.
Funding information and awarding criteria
How much is the funding for?
The value of the funding is set at a maximum of €2000 per applicant for an item or service that will positively impact the recipient’s quality of life.
Who is eligible to apply for the funding?
You are eligible to apply for the funding if you fulfil all the following criteria:
You are a member of MDI
You are living with a neuromuscular condition covered by MDI
You require funding which will enable you to further your opportunities for inclusion in society and promote independence.
Only fully completed applications will be considered
Funding awarding criteria
An MDI selection panel will consider the following when assessing applications:
Your personal statement (regarding the purpose of the funding and how it will impact the recipient’s quality of life).
The MDI selection committee will assess applications in accordance with set procedures which aim to ensure that our system for awarding the funding is fair and transparent.
You have not received this or any other MDI fund this year.
The committee may contact you if they require further information.
How to apply
Please complete and submit your application here.
If you have any questions about the funding or require assistance in completing your application, please contact Rebecca Ivory at rebecca@mdi.ie.
The selection process
All applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet the criteria.
A shortlist of eligible applications will be sent to the selection committee for a final decision.
The successful candidates will be notified that the funding has been approved.
If an application is unsuccessful, we will notify the member by email as soon as possible.
Accepting the funding
When a funding offer has been made it must be accepted within three weeks. Any offer of funding is dependent upon the information supplied being truthful and accurate and upon the applicant fulfilling all of the conditions required for the MDI-Ollie Hickey Fund. The right to withdraw an offer is maintained by MDI in the event there is any error or omission whatsoever in the information provided by or on behalf of the applicant.
Payment of the funding
The funding will be paid directly to the vendor either in one lump sum or instalments (depending on the nature of the activity or item), by Electronic Funds Transfer.The member must first have provided MDI with an invoice from the relevant vendor, clearly outlining details of the purchase.
Determination of disputes
Any question or dispute that may arise in relation to the interpretation of this scheme shall be determined by MDI whose decision thereon shall be final. Applicants may appeal against a funding decision if they feel that MDI’s procedures have not been followed. Applicants may appeal in writing, within ten days, outlining the reasons they believe their application was assessed or dealt with in a way that is not compatible with the procedures outlined in the funding document. Appeals via email should be addressed to headofservices@mdi.ie or they can be sent by regular post to Head of Services, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, 75 Lucan Road, Chapelizod, D20 DR77.
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Muscular Dystrophy Ireland is the data controller of the personal data held in relation to applications for the bursary.
Confidentiality
MDI takes its data protection obligations very seriously. MDI shall treat all personal information with the utmost confidentiality in line with the standards of data protection required by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Access to any personal information you give us when making an application for the bursary is limited by permissions to only those staff and volunteers who need access to manage, assess and respond to your application.
Personal data
Personal data in our application process for this bursary has come directly from you from your application form. The categories of personal information held in relation to your application are for the most part personal data relating to your identity, including contact information, and personal circumstances.
Use of personal data
MDI will use your personal information for the purposes of:
• Reviewing and managing your application for the bursary
• Communications with you on these matters
• Reporting on our activities in relation to the bursary, for regulatory, management and quality purposes.Legal basis for processing and data retention
Your personal details are necessary for MDI to review your application for the bursary and to communicate the outcome of the selection process and the terms of any award with you. We will process and retain your personal information relating to your application in line with MDI’s Data Retention Schedule. We will only process the data for the duration that the data is required to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected.
Special category personal data
When applying for the bursary you may be required to provide sensitive personal data relating for example to your disability or personal circumstances. Any sensitive personal data of this nature provided as part of your application will only be used for the purposes of assessing and making a decision relating to your application.
Your rights
If you have any questions relating to your personal information and your information rights, including right of access, rectification and erasure, please contact Data Protection, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, 75 Lucan Road, Chapelizod, Dublin D20 6414. Email: mdiinfo@mdi.ie Tel: 01 623 641
Details of the Supervisory Authority
Irish Office of the Data Protection Commission
If you have a query, concern or complaint regarding a data protection matter, you can engage with the Data Protection Commission in the following ways:By webform on their website https://forms.dataprotection.ie/contact
By post: 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin, D02 RD28.