Local heroes are honoured

A COUPLE who have been married for 60 years and live on the Southside have received Hospice Sunflower Hero awards for their outstanding contribution to hospice care in Ireland.

Sean and Mary Doyle received their awards from RTE’s Mary Kennedy for their tireless work on behalf of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.

The couple were among 21 volunteers across the country honoured for their fundraising work for hospice care.

The awards were presented in advance of national Hospice Sunflower Days which celebrates its 26th anniversary this weekend, on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11.

The couple, who live in Blackrock, are natives of County Tipperary. They spent the first 10 years of their married life in Nenagh. 

Our Lady’s Hospice said it nominated Sean and Mary for the hero awards because they are “dedicated, hardworking and wonderful ambassadors for the hospice and are happy to listen to all who wish to share their hospice stories during Sunflower Days”.

The couple have raised almost €20,000 since they got involved in raising funds for the hospice more than 16 years ago.

Sean will be 93 years old on his next birthday and regularly plays 10 holes of golf. Mary (79) is very active in her local retirement group.

Speaking to Southside People last week, Mary said she and her husband had always endeavoured to help others when they could.

“We used to hold coffee mornings for the hospice but since we’ve got on a bit we don’t do that anymore,” she said, “but we will be down there supporting them on Sunflower Day.”

Mary, who has been a volunteer for most of her life, started helping the hospice 16 years ago.

“I was used to working with older people so when the hospice approached me 16 years ago to help I was very happy to do so.”

Irish Hospice Foundation chief executive Sharon Foley said Sean and Mary and all the volunteers were the backbone of the hospice movement in Ireland.

“It is through the compassionate communities that hospice services can continue to deliver high quality care to individuals and families,” she said. “No hospice service is fully funded by the State and they are all reliant on their communities and public goodwill to help maintain or expand their services.  I think that is something really exceptional about an event like Hospice Sunflower Days.”

Launching Hospice Sunflower Days Mary Kennedy said: “More than 6,000 people use hospice services every year in Ireland. The care and support afforded to families in need, at a very difficult time, is so important and I am encouraging members of the public to show their support for Sunflower Days once again this year. By simply buying a sunflower from one of our volunteers you are helping to bring comfort and dignity to people at the end-of-life.”

She added: “It’s inspiring to meet the Sunflower Heroes and the dedicated volunteers from across the country who do so much to secure hospice services locally. Without them there are many patients and their families whose end of life would be so much harder. They are all heroes in the true sense and need to be acknowledged. I am honoured to be here with them today.”

Pat Quinlan Chair of the Voluntary Hospices Group, added: “Hospice care aims to improve the lives of people who have a life limiting condition by helping them to live their lives as fully as possible right up to the moment until they die.

“We appeal to people to support their local service so patients and families can get help at a time of greatest need.  Sunflower Days is a vital source of funding for local hospice services so please donate on June 10 and 11 and if you have a few hours to spare please consider volunteering.”

Our Lady’s Hospice said it is very reliant on the generous support of the public from events such as Sunflower Days. Since 2009 it has been balancing a 25 per cent reduction in State funding with a considerable demand for an increase in its in-patient numbers.

This is one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the hospice movement in Ireland and it is hoped that €1 million will be raised. The event is coordinated on behalf of the hospice movement by the Irish Hospice Foundation.

People are encouraged to support their local hospice service by purchasing various pieces of Sunflower merchandise.

The hospice said the additional funds raised during Sunflower Days means patients can receive world class palliative care that they need in bright, calm and therapeutic surroundings and when they need it.

A recent national survey commissioned by the Irish Hospice Foundation revealed that 75 per cent of Irish people want to die at home – however only 25 per cent will get to do so partly due to lack of services.

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