"This is about three amazing girls."
If that was the beginning of Aine Hendrick's heartbreaking story – which she told in moving detail to Ryan Tubridy this morning – then it really was only just the jumping-off point.
Aine left listeners in tears with the tale of her daughter, Aoife, who died of leukemia at the age of five.
But the account, which had Tubridy audibly moved, wasn't just about the tragedy of Aoife's tragic passing – it was also about the amazing exploits of three girls who raised over €3,500 in her memory.
Orla Haverty, Amy Campbell and Lauren Whelan – three 13 year olds from Malahide – walked for nine and a half hours to raise money for the Aoife's Clown Doctors charity.
It was set up in Aoife's memory, and fundraises to pay for professional "clown doctors" who bring joy and laughter to the bedsides of Ireland's sickest kids.
Mum Aine told Tubridy that "nobody ever wants to be" in a children's hospital – it's never good news.
But she said the clown doctors were a huge help to her, husband Adrian and Aoife during the hard days in hospital.
"We needed them. We were finding it hard to keep her imagination going, and to keep the positivity going – and we needed help.
"The help to see her laughing and smiling. And to see our girl – our girl, who was full of life and zest – and who was losing that in hospital. To see that coming back, and to see the light on her face, and the big smile...
"They say laughter is medicine, and we fully, fully believe in that."
Aoife would be the same age as Orla, Amy and Lauren today, and their parents should be "so proud" of their fundraising efforts, Aine said.
"It's such a kindness."
