North Westmeath Hospice launched their Big Coffee Morning for Hospice on Tuesday, 10 September.
The 2024 Together For Hospice event is planned for the Market Square, Mullingar on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, with confirmed rumours that beverages and treats will once again be served.
“The coffee morning is a great social outlet,” said Chairperson of the North Westmeath Hospice Fundraising Committee, Margaret Claffey. “You don’t have to give an awful lot of money, but every donation makes a difference and every cent raised locally stays locally. We’ll hire a coffee cart, and serve goodies on both days.”
North Westmeath Hospice Ambassador, actress Tina Kellegher was at the launch to lend her support.
“I feel the Hospice coffee morning event is so important because, of course it helps maintain the wonderful end of life support services that the hospice provide, one which so many of us have had the privilege to avail of,” she explained.
“I also believe it is a fantastic opportunity for people to meet up with friends and family or indeed have a catch up with colleagues in the workplace. Since COVID I know I need to make a concerted effort to spend time with others, something I feel I am out of the good habit of and what better way to address this than through the Hospice Coffee Morning while honouring our passed loved ones.”
Margaret confirmed that money raised in the past has allowed them to upgrade their two palliative care beds in St Camillus’ Nursing Home, Killucan, to a state of the art suite. Fundraising focus now turns to upgrading their two hospital beds in Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar while waiting for a Level 3 hospice to be built in Tullamore.
“The goodwill towards the North Westmeath Hospice is just incredible,” she said.
“Most people have been touched by either a cancer diagnosis or a terminal illness and know of somebody who has availed of palliative care services. In return for this, people are very loyal to the hospice and want to give back.”
To support Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning, stop by Mullingar market square on September 26 or September 27 to buy a beverage where electronic donations will be accepted. To host your own event, visit hospicecoffeemorning.ie, call 0818 995 996 or drop into the North Westmeath Hospice office on Mary Street, Mullingar.
