Ryan Tubridy has said the Late Late Show has been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of viewers, who have donated over €457,000 since Friday night to help the families of sick children around Ireland.
The Late Late host was joined by Munster rugby player Billy Holland and his wife Lanlih on Friday night as part of the show's Crumlin Children's Hospital Special, with the couple explaining why they set up the GoFundMe page Brave Like Emmeline Holland.
They told the show about the phenomenal care their baby daughter Emmeline received at Children's Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin before she passed away last year at six-months-old.
Billy and Lanlih had hoped to raise €100,000 to help sick children and their families, but the figure currently stands at over €457,000. The money will be divided between CHI at Crumlin, Cork University Hospital (children's wards) and the Ronald McDonald House which provides accommodation for family members at Crumlin.
"We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity shown by viewers of The Late Late Show last night," said the presenter on Saturday.
"As we gathered in the green room after the show last night, we watched in awe as the donations kept coming in, the Irish public's generosity knows no bounds.
"We all wanted to acknowledge and give thanks to these incredible families, attending these wards day in, day out, and the phenomenal, constant and unparalleled dedication and work that takes place at CHI at Crumlin and throughout Ireland's children's wards.
"People looking on last night knew that these stories could be any person's story, could knock on any of our doors, that these supports are vital. When the call came, the Late Late Show viewers answered... and then some."
Friday's show paid tribute to the patients, families and staff at CHI at Crumlin in Dublin, with viewers able to show their support on the night by donating €4 by texting "Crumlin" to 50300.
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Among the guests were Sophie Barnes Aabo from November's Late Late Toy Show, who brought the nation to tears speaking about her brother Cian, who is receiving treatment in Crumlin.
