RTE’s Mary Kennedy made a special presentation to local “Sunflower Heroes” who give tirelessly of their time to bring vital hospice services to communities all over the country.
Ms Kennedy also announced details of national Hospice Sunflower Days, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and takes place on Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th. This is one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the hospice movement in Ireland and it is hoped that €1 million will be raised. The event is coordinated on behalf of the hospice movement by the Irish Hospice Foundation and all of the funds raised locally, stay locally.
People are being encouraged to support their local hospice service on June 5th and 6th by purchasing various pieces of Sunflower merchandise – including sunflower pins for €2 each from collectors on the streets of cities, towns and villages across Ireland.
A recent national survey commissioned by the Irish Hospice Foundation revealed that 75 per cent of Irish people want to die at home – however only 25 per cent will get to do so partly due to lack of services.
Launching Hospice Sunflower Days Mary Kennedy commented: “There is probably not a family in Ireland that has not been touched by the amazing work carried out by hospice services across the country. The care and support afforded to families in need, at a very difficult time, is so important and I am encouraging members of the public to show their support for Sunflower Days once again this year. By simply buying a pin you are helping to bring comfort and dignity to people at the end-of-life.”
She added: “It is so inspiring to meet the “Sunflower Heroes” and the dedicated volunteers from all over the country who do so much to secure hospice services locally. Without them there are many patients and their families whose end of life would be so much harder. They are all heroes in the true sense and need to be acknowledged. I am honoured to be here with them today.”
Pat Quinlan, Chief Executive Officer of Milford Care Centre and Chair of the Voluntary Hospices Group, commented: “Across the country, the number of people seeking hospice care services continues to increase at a time when funding resources, both public and voluntary, have become more scarce. We are more reliant than ever on the generosity and goodwill of our supporters and volunteers.”
“We appeal to people to support their local service so patients and families can get help at a time of greatest need. Sunflower Days is a vital source of funding for local hospice services so please donate on June 5th & 6th and if you have a few hours to spare please consider volunteering.”
Hospice or palliative care involves the total care of patients and their families at the stage in a serious illness, where the focus has switched from treatment aimed at cure to ensuring quality of life. About 29,000 people die annually in Ireland and over 6,000 people use hospice services every year.
For more information on Sunflower Days see www.sunflowerdays.ie
2015 Sunflower Heroes
Miriam Clarke, Ardee Hospice Homecare
Miriam was nominated for her commitment to the service, from its inception 21 years ago. She has served as a chairperson and continues to be an active member. She is credited with having great community spirit and for showing tremendous empathy to families who use the service.
Des O’Mahony, Carlow Hospice Homecare
Des has been involved in a voluntary capacity with Carlow Hospice Home Care for 25 years now. Des does Trojan work for the organisation – from helping out at flag days to applying his financial expertise to the accounts and much more. He can be relied on to help out whenever his assistance is needed.
Mary Hynes, The Clare Hospice at Caheralla
Talented knitter Mary has volunteered with the hospice service for ten years and is known for her knitting skills far and wide. She has great time for the patients and helps them knit items of clothing that are sent to orphanages, a pastime that they really enjoy.
Kay Woods, Kerry Hospice Foundation
Kay is an integral part of the Killorglin branch of Kerry Hospice since 2005, helping out on Sunflower Days, Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning and also the Killorglin car boot sale.
Kay and her sisters nursed their mother at home for a year until her death in 1997, and this experience led Kay to get involved in volunteering for Kerry Hospice Foundation.
Maura Murphy, Kildare & West Wicklow Hospice
Maura was nominated for her commitment to Kildare & West Wicklow Hospice for over 20 years. Maura has for many years been an area representative for Maynooth and her business expertise has proved invaluable. She is retiring from active work with the hospice, but will continue to be a great supporter of all activities.
Lilly O’Sullivan, volunteer with Marymount Hospice
Lilly is being awarded for her tireless work with the Friends of Marymount for the past 16 years. She became a volunteer with the service after seeing the great care that some of her friends and family received in Marymount a number of years ago. She is passionate about fundraising and throws herself wholeheartedly into events in aid of the hospice.
Kathleen Bradley, volunteer with Milford Care Centre in Limerick
Kathleen has volunteered with Milford Care Centre for 23 years now. She is a wonderful ambassador for the centre and is instrumental in raising money in support of the service. She takes to the street on Sunflower Days and also volunteers with the Hospice Shop on a weekly basis.
Geri Cantwell, Nenagh Branch of North Tipperary Hospice
Geri volunteers as treasurer with the branch and brings fun, dedication and great willingness to everything she does. Throughout her 10-year involvement with the movement Geri has shown herself to be a very capable person who will help out the Nenagh Branch at the drop of a hat.
Debby and Chloe MacNamara, volunteers with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
This mother and daughter team got involved in the hospice in 2009, following the sad death of Debby’s husband Gerry who passed away in Our Lady’s Hospice. Both volunteer together on Sunflower Days and green fingered Debby also helps to maintain the hospice grounds and has even helped Our Lady’s Hospice bring a garden to the Bloom Festival.
Nora Gahan, St Francis Hospice
Nora has been a supporter of St Francis Hospice since 1989. She began volunteering with the hospice as she wanted to help in her local community. Her sister also passed away under hospice care and Nora continues her fundraising efforts in her memory. She has led her group through numerous fundraising events and every year, without fail, the Sunflower Day collection in Portmarnock.
Olive Murray-Power, Wicklow Hospice Foundation
Olive is a talented poet and artist who has used her skills to support Wicklow Hospice Foundation for many years. She created a book of her paintings and poems, with all proceeds going to the foundation. She was also instrumental in the publication of the WHF Christmas Cards. Olive’s first husband Martin passed away from cancer so hospice is a cause very close to her heart.
Miriam Clarke, Ardee Hospice Homecare
Miriam was nominated for her commitment to the service, from its inception 21 years ago. She has served as a chairperson and continues to be an active member. She is credited with having great community spirit and for showing tremendous empathy to families who use the service.
Des O’Mahony, volunteer with Carlow Hospice Homecare
Des has been involved in a voluntary capacity with Carlow Hospice Home Care for 25 years now. Des does Trojan work for the organisation – from helping out at flag days to applying his financial expertise to the accounts and much more. He can be relied on to help out whenever his assistance is needed.
Mary Hynes, volunteer with The Clare Hospice at Caheralla
Talented knitter Mary has volunteered with the hospice service for ten years and is known for her knitting skills far and wide. She has great time for the patients and helps them knit items of clothing that are sent to orphanages, a pastime that they really enjoy.
Kay Woods, Kerry Hospice Foundation
Kay is an integral part of the Killorglin branch of Kerry Hospice since 2005, helping out on Sunflower Days, Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning and also the Killorglin car boot sale.
Kay and her sisters nursed their mother at home for a year until her death in 1997, and this experience led Kay to get involved in volunteering for Kerry Hospice Foundation.
Maura Murphy, Kildare & West Wicklow Hospice
Maura was nominated for her commitment to Kildare & West Wicklow Hospice for over 20 years. Maura has for many years been an area representative for Maynooth and her business expertise has proved invaluable. She is retiring from active work with the hospice, but will continue to be a great supporter of all activities.
Lilly O’Sullivan, Marymount Hospice
Lilly is being awarded for her tireless work with the Friends of Marymount for the past 16 years. She became a volunteer with the service after seeing the great care that some of her friends and family received in Marymount a number of years ago. She is passionate about fundraising and throws herself wholeheartedly into events in aid of the hospice.
Kathleen Bradley, Milford Care Centre in Limerick
Kathleen has volunteered with Milford Care Centre for 23 years now. She is a wonderful ambassador for the centre and is instrumental in raising money in support of the service. She takes to the street on Sunflower Days and also volunteers with the Hospice Shop on a weekly basis.
Geri Cantwell, Nenagh Branch of North Tipperary Hospice
Geri volunteers as treasurer with the branch and brings fun, dedication and great willingness to everything she does. Throughout her 10-year involvement with the movement Geri has shown herself to be a very capable person who will help out the Nenagh Branch at the drop of a hat.
Debby and Chloe MacNamara, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services
This mother and daughter team got involved in the hospice in 2009, following the sad death of Debby’s husband Gerry who passed away in Our Lady’s Hospice. Both volunteer together on Sunflower Days and green fingered Debby also helps to maintain the hospice grounds and has even helped Our Lady’s Hospice bring a garden to the Bloom Festival.
Nora Gahan, St Francis Hospice
Nora has been a supporter of St Francis Hospice since 1989. She began volunteering with the hospice as she wanted to help in her local community. Her sister also passed away under hospice care and Nora continues her fundraising efforts in her memory. She has led her group through numerous fundraising events and every year, without fail, the Sunflower Day collection in Portmarnock.
Olive Murray-Power, Wicklow Hospice Foundation
Olive is a talented poet and artist who has used her skills to support Wicklow Hospice Foundation for many years. She created a book of her paintings and poems, with all proceeds going to the foundation. She was also instrumental in the publication of the WHF Christmas Cards. Olive’s first husband Martin passed away from cancer so hospice is a cause very close to her heart.
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