Content warning: mention of eating disorders. ED Helpline : (01) 2107906
At first glance The Sunflower Project is a yearly initiative raising money during the holiday season for young people who are in inpatient treatment for an eating disorder. A closer look reveals a vibrant community, assuring that there is an enduring sense of compassion young people across Galway are enthusiastically embracing. Now in its third year, The Sunflower Project is a testament to the light that can weave its ways through the most jagged cracks of life, resulting in a lasting difference.
In the three years of providing these life affirming services, The Sunflower Project has raised over €5,837 used to create hampers for young people in the hospital over the holiday season. Any remaining funds are donated directly to Bodywhys, the Eating Disorder Association of Ireland. This embrace of an area of care once difficult to talk about has been illuminating - and a true light for the people impacted.
Siobhan Kelleher is the force for good behind The Sunflower Project. Her impetus was looking for a way to give back to the people who gave so much to her during a difficult time, as well as an internal push to acknowledge her own experience of spending 6 months in inpatient treatment over the holiday season. “I dealt with an eating disorder when I was a teenager, maybe for about 5 years,” Siobhan shares. “I was [in the hospital] for Christmas in 2020 and it was so shit being in there... [but] they really really tried to make it nice for us, and that was really lovely.”
“When it started [in 2022] I only wanted to make a Christmas hamper for the hospital that I was in, just to give something back… I [made] a GoFundMe page, and in 48 hours the goal completed doubled.” With this remarkable spark of compassion from the community around her, that year Siobhan was able to make hampers for every public inpatient at the hospital she had stayed in.
For Siobhan, the immense support the Sunflower Project has garnered, “is really affirming. Obviously I had an eating disorder when I was a teenager, things were not looking too hot for me. And I missed a lot of school. I felt very alienated… I moved into the city and was like ‘okay lets get into the real life stuff, everything's going to start falling into place…”
“By setting something up like this and nearly forcing a sense of community into my life, I really was able to meet people who are so kind, and who I really align with, and who care about the things that I care about…it’s been really affirming for me now, and little kid Siobhan who felt crazy, now she doesn’t feel so crazy anymore I hope.”
Off of the success of the first fundraiser, the following year Siobhan decided to dive head first into fostering the project and driving it even further. “I really love doing this so I wanted to tie it into my other interests I have, so I put on a gig in Áras na nGael… [the gig] was insane. I actually think I was on the brink of tears. I was just like this is so incredible, not only to have sold out the night but I had a line out the door of people waiting to get in. There were people who wandered in and who bought tickets not really knowing much about the project and left knowing about it and having donated so that was so cool.”
This past September, Siobhan started fundraising and engaging with people on socials all in an effort to raise money for the project this year. From sea swimming to a scrapbooking event, the fundraising efforts so far have raised over €2,000.
On the 15th of December, Siobhan is bringing yet another event to The Blue Note. The Sunflower Sessions 2024 promises to be an incredible nighttime event, with live performances, DJs, market stalls, flash tattoos and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. (Tickets are available via the link in her Instagram bio @Siobhan__kelleher - prices are donation based with a minimum of €5).
“There are people selling artwork, there is someone doing face painting, there will be flash tattoos, it’s going to be a bit mad… There are four live bands and two DJs. I'm actually so excited. It will be a nighttime flea market vibe." With the glint of an amused thought Siobhan adds, "what better place to get a tattoo and revamp your wardrobe than in the middle of the night in The Blue Note?”
There is a remarkable flood of compassion that permeates every aspect of this project, not only from Siobhan but also from the community of people she’s built. Through The Sunflower Project, Siobhan has harnessed the beautiful and rare gift of turning a dark and gruelling experience into something that brings light and joy to the world around us. The Sunflower Project is a resounding and powerful example that sometimes, the way to get out of something is simply through.
Tickets are available for the next gig on December 15th at this link.
If you would like to make a donation to The Sunflower Project click here.
Bodywhys ED Helpline : (01) 2107906
Link to Bodywhys
