Three local women receive Hospice Hero Awards

Three local women have received national recognition for their tireless work supporting South Westmeath Hospice.

Ballymore Community Centre Committee members Esther Cuffe and Bernie Moran, who have hosted a Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice at the centre for over 20 years, both received a Together for Hospice Hero Award. Dr Rose Kirby O’Hanlon, a founding member of the South Westmeath Hospice Board was also honoured with a Together for Hospice award. The awards were announced ahead of this year's Together for Hospice fundraising campaign, which takes place later this month.

Esther and Bernie will host their event on Sunday, September 28, between 12noon and 3pm. Both Esther and Bernie say there is great joy to be had from the social element of the event.

Running right across Ireland, this year’s national fundraiser aims to raise over €2million and officially takes place on September 25 – but supporters can host or attend a coffee morning on a date that suits them, with every cent raised locally going to their local hospice.

Esther and Bernie’s work was honoured recently at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café, where they both received a Together for Hospice Hero Award.

They were initially encouraged to get involved by their late friend and Hospice fundraiser, Mary Connaughton. The coffee morning continues to uphold a tradition started by Mary of also comprising a sale of local arts and crafts.

Esther says it is satisfying to see the support of the people of Ballymore for South Westmeath Hospice.

“It is such a wonderful cause. We know people who have been helped. You never know what may be coming to your own door,” she said. “There is great satisfaction in it, and huge support from the people of Ballymore.”

According to Bernie, the event is a fixture on the local social calendar.

“It is all about meeting up with people you might not ordinarily see, day-to-day. So many get involved," she said. "When people hear the event is the Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, they are so willing to help out. What I get out of it most is the interaction. I love talking to people.”

Meanwhile, Dr Rose Kirby O’Hanlon, a founding member of the South Westmeath Hospice Board, established in 1994 with the aim of enhancing palliative care services for the people of South Westmeath, was also honoured with a Together for Hospice award.

Her dream was realised in 2009 with the opening of the four-bed hospice located on the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone.

Dr Kirby O’Hanlon served on the Board of the South Westmeath Hospice for over two decades.

“Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice is not merely about money,” she said. “It is also about the value of people of knowing the care is there. Awareness of the work the hospice does in the community, for the community, is critical.”

Together for Hospice, the national hospice movement, represents 24 hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers supporting patients and their families across Ireland.

Fundraised income is used by local hospice services to fund new buildings, extra comforts for patients and their families, and innovative patient care projects. Funds raised through Together For Hospice campaigns support some of the core services funded by the HSE.

Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 25, - or on a date that suits you – at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can donate at: hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate