Coffee Morning to pour money into Hospices

NORTHSIDERS are being urged to get out their cups and saucers next month for a major fundraising event which is taking place all over Ireland.

The country is undergoing a coffee revolution – and now you can be part of it! On Thursday, September 18, people are being asked to enjoy a Bewley’s #coffee4hospice – and to raise much needed funds for their local hospice service at the same time.

Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning has become an institution since it first started brewing 22 years ago.

Over 15 million cups of Bewley’s coffee have been enjoyed and an estimated e30 million raised for Hospice care nationwide in this period.

The huge success of the event has been boosted by the development of a thriving coffee culture, with the country going crazy for a good brew.

On September 18, people in workplaces, homes and local organisations across Dublin are being asked to hold a coffee morning and to collect e2 for each cup of Bewley’s fresh coffee consumed.

Speaking at the launch, Northside TV and radio presenter Lottie Ryan said she was delighted to support the event.

“I would urge anyone who loves a coffee in the morning to get involved and raise money for their local hospice,

? she said.

“The death of a loved one is a really stressful and upsetting time for families, and the support and care the Hospice provides makes a real difference.

“The Hospice is close to my family’s heart, as my granddad was looked after by Raheny Hospice.

“The care and support they gave our family will always be remembered.

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All money raised locally at #coffee4hospice events stays locally and goes directly back to fund local Hospice care services.

Hospice or palliative care is for 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.

Since 1989 the staff and volunteers at St Francis Hospice, Raheny, have provided specialist palliative care to people of North Dublin city and county. Over 1,200 patients were supported in 2013.

Dee Kinnane, spokesperson for St Francis Hospice, said:

“Maintaining our services currently costs $2.8 million annually and this is raised through fundraising and funding from the HSE.

“We are currently fundraising to pay the capital debt for St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown which stands at e7.5 million.

“Our annual repayments are currently over e0.4 million and will rise to e0.8 million in the last quarter of this year.

Ms Kinnane added:

“Our aim is for St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown to operate at full capacity in 2015. The money raised from Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning will certainly help us to achieve this goal.

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Registration advice and details on how to get your special complimentary Bewley’s fresh ground coffee pack can be obtained by contacting Dee Kinnane on 01-8327535. Alternatively you may call the Irish Hospice Foundation on 01-6793188.

People can register to host a coffee morning at www.Irelandsbiggestcoffeemorning.ie