Rosanna Davison & Brave little Alex announce Cannonball for Jack & Jill

Former Miss World Rosanna Davison got to grips with a rare Maserati MC20 along 
with Alex Dunne (4) from Wicklow and Cannonball founder Alan Bannon at the 
announcement that the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is the official charity 
partner for Cannonball 2024.  
Brave little Alex was born with PVL (Periventricular Leukomalacia) which is a type of 
brain injury.  Alex is the only known human in the world to have the two specific 
genetic chromosomal deletions that have caused his condition, and he and his family 
are just one of the 416 families across Ireland currently under the care of the Jack 
and Jill Children’s Foundation, which will be the charity beneficiary of the 
Cannonball supercar event. 
 
The action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll on September 6 th -8 th  from 
Johnstown Estate in Enfield taking in Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Leitrim 
and finishes in Trim Co Meath.  Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is 
the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet from 
the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to the grace and 
elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati.  The brand-new Lamborghini 
Revoulto will be unveiled in Ireland for the very first time and over 200,000 
spectators are expected with free family festivals organised from coast to coast. 
 
Dancing with the Stars alum, Rosanna Davison, said: “As a mum of three, I can only 
begin to imagine the challenges faced by Jack and Jill families across Ireland, like 
the Dunnes, who have children with such complex medical needs. I am thrilled to 
lend my support to Jack and Jill and I know that Cannonball will bring a fantastic 
spectacle once again around the country and look forward to bring my own family 
to enjoy Cannonball when it comes to the beautiful Powerscourt Estate in 
Wicklow in September.” 
Cannonball has already raised €1,638,432 for Irish Children’s Charities and brings a 
unique and inimitable electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country making 
it a widely anticipated free family event for spectators.   
This year the official charity of Cannonball is the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation 
- an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care, respite 
support for children from birth to six years of age with severe learning disability 
associated with complex medical need. 
Typically, these children may be tube fed, oxygen dependent, may not sleep, take 
seizures, need a lot of medication and require around-the-clock care. 
Understandably, their parents can be exhausted and need a break, which is where 
Jack and Jill comes in. 
Jack and Jill’s service operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape 
and no waiting list. Another key part of the service is end-of-life-care for all children 

up to the age six, irrespective of diagnosis, empowering parents to take their child 
home to die at this most difficult time. 
There are currently 416 children and their families under the care of Jack and Jill 
right across the country and the charity’s mission is to empower parents to care for 
their child at home, because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child. 
 
Cannonball offers spectators a unique opportunity to witness the world's most 
prestigious and sought-after supercars up close and enjoy the unique festival 
atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for.   The Brazilian Dancers, giant screens, 
music and fanfare brings all the glamour of carnival and live DJs, bands and festivals 
in host towns around the country get the party started. 
The Cannonballers and celebrities in colourful costumes add to the melee. From 
Spiderman to Star Wars, Cat Woman to Wonder Woman, cheerleaders to Charlie’s 
Angels, Batman, the Joker and more; it is a totally unique free family day out.   This 
year, organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress with prizes 
for best dressed.    
 
Cannonball was founded by Kildare businessman Alan Bannon and the benefit to the 
host towns for this event is estimated at €2,567,000 per year. Cannonball is fuelled 
by milesPLUS from Circle K as the main headline Sponsor for 2024 and all official 
fuel stops on the route where spectators can see the cars will be announced in the 
coming days.   The Tour Sponsor this year is Apache Pizza and Cannonball official 
partners include Karl Goodwin Motors, AB Signs, HONE Energy and Majestic 
Ireland Road Trips. See www.cannonball.ie 
Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation – The Irish Story 
Jack and Jill is a nationwide charity that funds and provides up to 100 hours per 
month of in-home nursing care and respite support to families caring for children, up 
to the age of six, with severe learning disability associated with complex medical 
needs.  
  
Jack and Jill was founded by parents Jonathan Irwin and Mary Ann O’Brien in 1997, 
based on their experience of caring for their son Jack. Jack and Jill's mission is to 
empower the families it supports to care for their child at home, by funding and 
delivering nursing, respite and advocacy. The charity must raise over €7.5 Million in 
2024 to keep this vital service going, with approximately 22% coming from the HSE.  
 
Jack and Jill currently supports 416 families in communities across Ireland. This 
support is often described as ‘a gift of time’ or a ‘lifeline’, giving parent carers a break 
from their 24/7 care regime, safe in the knowledge that their child is well cared for at 
home, where they belong. 
 
For more information, visit jackandjill.ie.