Local Hospice Heroes honoured

TWO local volunteers have been named as official ‘Hospice Heroes’ for their years of service to St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.

John Hayes and Bridie O’Neill can be found out and about supporting their local hospice on Hospice Sunflower Days and they were among 27 volunteers who were recently honoured as Hospice Heroes at a ceremony at St Francis, Blanchardstown.

They’ll both be involved in this year’s Hospice Sunflower Days, which fall this weekend on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8.

John began working as a volunteer four years ago after a personal experience with St Francis Hospice. He’s taken up various roles for the annual Hospice Sunflower Days collection in the Blanchardstown area and beyond.

He’s described as “a very valued member of the volunteer team” who projects a warm and cheerful attitude in dealing with everyone he meets.

Bridie, from Clonsilla, became involved with fundraising for the hospice in 2004 following the death of her beloved husband Ray who received fantastic support from the home care team at St Francis.

Bridie plays a key role in supporting the fundraising team during the annual Sunflower Collection and is well known for her positive motto, ‘Where there’s a will, there is a way!’

John & Bridie were presented with their Hospice Hero plaques at the ceremony by Mary Kennedy, Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador and RTE Broadcaster. 

I am delighted to get involved once again with Hospice Sunflower Days,” she said.

“This is a very worthy cause and with all funding raised locally staying in the local area it offers a great opportunity for people to support their local hospice or specialist palliative homecare service.

“You can support by buying sunflower merchandise on Hospice Sunflower Days, making a donation or you can help by volunteering your time to fundraise over the two days.”

Hospice Sunflower Days raise much needed funds for hospices and specialist palliative home care services across the country enabling them to continue to provide person centred, holistic and loving care to patients and their loved ones free of charge.

Funds raised through the campaign are used to directly support local hospices and specialist palliative home care services allowing them to purchase new equipment, support frontline posts, upgrade current facilities and continue to provide their vital service.

Anybody who wants to volunteer or donate can log onto www.sunflowerdays.ie. Alternatively, donations can be made by texting ‘SUN’ to 50300 to donate €4 to support local hospice groups across Ireland.