In 2015, a group of children received dry suits for Christmas. Strange choice of present one might argue. But these were no ordinary dry suits and these were no ordinary children.

They were brave kids battling against cancer and the dry suits were specially made with a device called a Hickman inserted to give Chemo and take bloods. It meant the kids could go swimming again and suddenly last Christmas became the best one yet for 16 children and their families.

For many members of YouBoysInGreen, reading the following quotes (just a selection of many) made their Christmas.

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“To all my great friends in YBIG this is a post I have just posted up in Aoibheann’s Pink Tie. We used the money you all raised to buy special Hickman inserted to give Chemo and take bloods, it means the child cannot go swimming or even have a bath.
A company in England developed these suits to allow the children swim and have a bath again. they cost 300 Euro each so they are expensive but the joy they bring is beyond words. You the brilliant Irish supporters club have purchased 16 of these suits so the maths is easy. All the money you raised went straight to the kids no fee no top ups no salaries. I am proud to say I am an Irish supporter and I am very proud of your efforts.” Jimmy Norman Chairman Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.

“Wow fantastic news you will make a lot of families very happy this morning well done APT always thinking of the children’s happiness and ybig for such a huge donation!”

“Wow Jimmy this is fantastic news.. Thank you so much!!! Roisin is super excited here. We can’t wait to go swimming!!! Thank you to all at APT. This will make such a difference. Xxx”

“Wow that is fantastic! Thank you so much to YBIG and APT – it will make such a difference – the summer will no longer be a dread of beaches and jumping in waves etc which is so difficult when you are trying to juggle the normal lives of other children and also include our little ones with Hickman lines – it means they will no longer feel excluded and different – Thank you so much x”

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Those quotes above were reward to YBIG and our loyal online and offline community, as what we are doing works and it is what YBIG is all about. It’s not just about the football.

On Friday, November 28, YBIG held it’s annual Charity Table Quiz in Slattery’s beside Lansdowne Road and the money raised brought this year’s figure to €16,428.50 which will be divided up between Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and Heart Children Ireland.

Everyone involved is extremely proud of this and it’s a testament to the good people in the YBIG community that we have come so far in the past few years, since June 2005 to be precise.

The big fundraiser of the year was the Damien Duff Seven A Side tournament in Irishtown Stadium in June when Damien himself was present for a brilliant day followed by a presentation of prizes and raffle in Slattery’s.

We were also delighted to accommodate the Irish amputee team who played a match against a selection of players on the day in preparation for their World Cup.

In previous years, we hooked up with Paul McGrath for the YBIG/Paul McGrath Golf Classic and Gala Dinner in Luttrelstown Castle. Again, due to the unbelievable work from the YBIG community, a very successful day was had and over €10k raised.

On every international match day, YBIG play a match against the fans of other countries, home and away, an initiative that has been so successful in not only raising money, but building relations between supporters all over Europe.

The importance of emphasising that YBIG is far more than an online community cannot be understated.

In Poland in 2012, members of the YBIG community spend a day at a local childrens hospice to donate toys and much needed cash to those who needed it most.

In 2008, YBIG campaigned for a Testimonial for former Ireland player Dave Langan, who had fallen on hard times. We were successful and a Testimonial Dinner was arranged by the FAI with a whopping €80k raised.

In the stadium itself, members of the YBIG community spend hours before each match bringing flags and banners into the ground to ensure fans enjoy the best possible atmosphere.

When Austria visited Dublin, two of their young fans were mugged and it was YBIG who pulled together and raised hundreds of Euro for the couple so they could enjoy their weekend. There are many stories like it.

And who can forget the brave, mad, dedicated few who travel to Lviv. weighted down with an obscene amount of baggage, every year to play in the Euro Fan Fest. The extra bags contain jerseys for the local orphanage who greet the lads with smiles and hugs upon their arrival every year.

Last June, YBIG celebrated it’s 10th anniversary when the Scots were in town and the Tartan Army brought along with them a giant cheque presentation for €7,000 for Aoibheann’s  Pink Tie. A fantastic gesture and a brilliant group of lads and lassies!   Lifelong friendships have been forged with home and away fans over the years and long may this continue as we have met some amazing people on the journey!

A few memorable moments from the last few years, both great and sad memories.

G’WAN IRELAND!

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NO REPRO FEE 12/11/2009 Carroll's Irish Gift Store Going Green on November 14th. Carroll's Gifts and Souvenirs came out to help promote and support the 'Going Green on November 14th' campaign which aims to turn Croke Park into a sea of green for the first leg of the World Cup play-offs against France, taking place this Saturday 14th November. Pictured at Carroll's Gifts and Souvenirs Westmoreland Street is Irish beauties Aoife Cogan, left, and Karena Graham with supporters group 'You Boys in Green' members, from left, Kevin Warren, Andy Conroy, Aidan Mullen and Phelim Warren launching the 'Going Green on November 14th', which is calling on every man, women and child in the country to get behind the Irish team this Saturday and turn Croke Park into an Irish fortress. Photo. Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland.

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19 January 2009; Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni with supporters, Phalim Warran, Eoghan Carroll, Barry O'Brien, Gary Malone, Derek Harte, Terry Murnane, Ger Keville, Ronan O'Flaherty and Ger Pakenham at the announcment that the FAI will set up a 1,500 seat singing section in the Davin Stand, in Croke Park, commencing with the next World Cup Qualifier against Georgia. FAI Headquarters, Abbotstown, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

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