Marty Morrissey is encouraging people across Galway to get behind a major national fundraiser supporting Ireland’s hospices.
The Gaelic games broadcaster said he personally witnessed the compassion shown by hospice staff when relatives received palliative care in the past.
“I thought it was amazing. Anyone who has visited a loved one in a hospice will be aware of the serenity, peace and joy – the good feeling that a loved one is being really well minded. The work being done by nurses and care staff is truly incredible, they are a gift from God, they are angels.”
He was speaking as ambassador for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, the annual charity partnership which has raised €47.6 million for hospice care since 1992. The fundraiser, organised by Together for Hospice, takes place nationwide on September 25.
“What I’m trying to do as ambassador, in a very small way, is to support the people who do it, and I am urging everyone in Galway to go to hospicecoffeemorning.ie and get involved.”
Mary Nash, CEO of Galway Hospice, said: “Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of our longest and most-loved fundraisers, is now in its 33rd year raising funds for Hospice inpatient and community services around Ireland.”
“Right across Galway, we are asking everyone to celebrate our countless coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities.”
“This support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, greatly improving care for patients with life-limiting illness and their families.”
Cól Campbell of Bewley’s Ireland, said the company is honoured to again support the event, recognised as the country’s most successful charity partnership.
“Bewley’s, an iconic Irish brand, was founded on the strong principle of caring for people and communities, which ties in perfectly with the ethos of Together For Hospice.”
“We encourage everyone to host or attend a coffee morning, wherever they are in Ireland, to help support the incredible work that hospices nationwide carry out every day.”
You can register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, 25th September — or on a date that suits you — at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or by calling 0818 995 996. If you can’t host or attend, you can also donate at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.
Last year, Galway Hospice supported 1,344 patients across all services. This included 340 patients in the Inpatient Unit, 1,017 in the community, and 576 attendances at the Day Care service.
Galway Hospice was involved in the care of 73% of people in Galway who died with a malignant diagnosis.
None of this would be possible without the kindness of those who donate and the dedication of more than 160 volunteers who give their time to support the hospice.
The funds raised during the Coffee Morning play a vital role in supporting the delivery of specialist palliative care in communities across Ireland.
Hospice and specialist palliative homecare services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, whilst also helping and supporting the patient’s family members.
