Firhouse woman’s selfless volunteer work is praised

A FIRHOUSE woman has received a ‘Sunflower Hero’ award from RTE’s Mary Kennedy for her out-standing dedication to Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.

Pat Quinn has been a  long-standing hospice volunteer since 1999 and was among 23 volunteers across the country honoured for their contribution to hospice care.

The presentation took place in the Mansion House Dublin at the national launch of Hospice Sunflower Days, the annual fundraiser for the hospice movement in Ireland that took place last week.

It is hoped €1 million will be raised from the event.

The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) coordinates the event on behalf of the hospice movement including Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services. All funds raised locally, stay locally. 

A spokesperson for Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services said: “Pat has been a long standing volunteer with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services.

“She is an active and fully engaged fundraiser for Our Lady’s Hospice who always represents the hospice to our supporters very well.  Pat works regularly on all our campaigns throughout the year.

“Pat always shows a willingness to help and is a great support to the fundraising team.

“Her hard work and good humour is an asset to every campaign.”

Pat became involved with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services following the Specialist Palliative Homecare team looking after her mother- in-law in 1997.

From her work in Supervalu Firhouse, she started to collect for Sunflower Days and her involvement has developed since then.

Pat added that the hospice was “a great charity that does such great work and I’m always happy to help in whatever way I can”.

Sunflower Days 2017 funds will develop the high quality specialist palliative care for patients in Harold’s Cross and Blackrock and will help deliver more homecare visits by their Specialist Palliative Care nurses. 

A national survey commissioned by the IHF revealed that 75 per cent of Irish people want to die at home – however only one in four get to do so.

This is where Sunflower Days funds helps with the provision of hospice services in local areas.

Speaking at the launch, Mary Kennedy, who supports the charity, said: “Without the commitment of these men and women, end of life would have been very different for many people and loved ones.”