The annual CMRF Crumlin Fundraising Ball is getting the gold treatment this year!

This year's ball will celebrate 50 years of fundraising for Our Lady's Children's Hospital and the National Children's Research Centre, and will have a gold theme in honour of the landmark anniversary.

Irish model and CMRF Crumlin ambassador Pippa O'Connor was on hand to launch the ball, which will take place on Saturday March 14th at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Dublin. Pippa was joined by junior ambassadors Alicja and Marek Doyle for the proceedings – aren't they adorable?!

One sick child is admitted to Our Lady's Children's Hospital every four minutes, totaling 130,000 children per year. The annual CMRF Ball not only raises money for much-needed improvement in facilities and equipment, but also for the ground-breaking research that goes toward helping each and every child that passes through the hospital's doors.

CMRF Crumlin needs to raise €12 million each year to help the hospital and the National Children's Research Centre to continue in their valuable work.

Speaking at the launch, Pippa said she was delighted to be taking part. "It’s only since becoming a mum that I truly appreciate the work that CMRF Crumlin do on behalf of the children of Ireland," she said. "The Gold Ball is a celebration of the dedication and commitment of the organisation to ensuring that children have the very best paediatric care available."

For more information about this year's ball, you can check out the CMRF Crumlin website.