Brendan Gleeson lends his voice to the call for support of the new inpatient facility in Raheny or St Francis Hospice

Padraig Conlon 27 Mar 2023

St Francis Hospice have today announced the National launch of its Living Today, Building for Tomorrow campaign.

The campaign will see those working in or alongside the construction sector coming together to fundraise nearly €3.5m to support the cost of the redevelopment of their new in-patient unit planned for their Raheny facility in North Co. Dublin.

Speaking at the launch, Fintan Fagan, CEO of St Francis Hospice Dublin, noted how the changing needs of the community and the growth in population will require the Hospice to grow and adapt significantly by the end of the decade.

“This redevelopment will enhance St Francis Hospice Dublin’s ability to provide highest quality range of services and place patients and their families’ needs at the centre of this project,” Mr. Fagan noted.

“The very nature of palliative care has changed over the last number of years. Patients are living longer with more complex conditions and the need for the types of services that St Francis Hospice Dublin provides has increased.

“At the heart of palliative care is the aim to improve quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Palliative care is not just about end of life but can help people at every stage of a patient’s illness.”

The redevelopment project itself will see the facility developed to include single occupancy rooms for all 24 beds, moving away from the three four-bedded wards that currently exist in the 19-bed in-patient unit.

The new building will include dedicated family areas along with the required clinical support facilities.

The new build will link to the existing St Francis Hospice building by a pedestrian bridge.

Lending support to the Living Today, Building for Tomorrow campaign is actor Brendan Gleeson, returning to Ireland from a successful award season for the movie Banshees of Inisherin. In the early 2000’s, both Brendan’s parents were cared for by St Francis Hospice Dublin.

Brendan has spoken publicly about their, and his, experience with St Francis Hospice Dublin and noted: “I’ve said before how life affirming and enriching Hospice can be.

“The reason I lend my support to St Francis Hospice is because I believe the care and dignity that is afforded to patients is something that should be available to everyone in our community.

“St Francis Hospice must make sure they expand to help everyone who needs them.

“I am proud to be an ambassador for the Living Today, Building for Tomorrow campaign as the patient is always at the centre of everything the Hospice does and that is no different for this redevelopment.”

MKN Property Group has also pledged support of the campaign as a partner.

Recognised as one of Ireland’s leading property development companies, they have built an extensive portfolio of premium properties across Dublin.

Brian McKeon, of MKN, noted, “As a forward thinking company we appreciate and understand what St Francis Hospice Dublin is working to achieve with this redevelopment. It makes sense to support this vital community service to help meet our social value obligations.

“It is wonderful that that the programme supports companies like ours to meet ESG targets and enables companies at all levels within the construction sector to lend their support for this worthy cause.”

St Francis Hospice says it is appealing to construction companies to support their project by becoming donors.

The hospice offers various tiers of support packages that allow companies to contribute in a way that suits them best. By becoming a donor, companies can make a significant impact on the hospice’s ability to provide care to patients and families.

By partnering with St Francis Hospice, construction companies can not only make a positive impact on their local community but also demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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