Southside couple are Sunflower Heroes for Crumlin

THE work of a married couple in support of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services in Harold’s Cross was recognised recently when Albert and Margaret Brown were named as Hospice Sunflower Heroes.

The dedicated couple, from Clondalkin, were honoured at an event in Dublin to mark the launch of National Sunflower Days later this month.

Albert is visually impaired but despite this challenge, he and Margaret have supported Sunflower Days for 15 years.

They collect each year in the Mill Shopping Centre in Clondalkin and have been hailed by as

“great ambassadors for the hospice

? as they fundraise in all weathers.

They were honoured at the launch of the Sunflower Days 2013 campaign which takes place on Friday, June 14 and Saturday 15.

Over the two days people will be able to support their local hospice service by purchasing various pieces of Sunflower merchandise including pins and seeds for e2 each from collectors on the streets of cities, towns and villages around the country.

Hospice Sunflower Days is a major source of income for hospices and voluntary hospice groups countrywide.

The IHF coordinates the event on behalf of the hospice movement but all of the funds raised locally stay locally.

Launching Hospice Sunflower Days, Mary Kennedy remarked:

“Hospice care in Ireland is a real grassroots movement as communities endeavour to ensure that local services are in place when their loved ones, friends and neighbours are at their most vulnerable.

“Hospice Sunflower Days is an opportunity for people to contribute to that endeavour. We hope that people will use Sunflower Days as an opportunity to volunteer for local collections or to make a much needed donation to their local service.

?

About 29,000 people die annually in Ireland and over 6,000 people use hospice services every year.

For more information and to volunteer with your local hospice service for Hospice Sunflower Days visit www.sunflowerdays.ie