Castleisland branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation will hold its annual Sunflower Day collection on Friday, June 9th in conjunction with the rest of the county.
Offers of support from volunteers willing to give an hour or two on the day would be welcome.
“Kerry Hospice has a continuous requirement to raise funds for the critical services that we help deliver,” said Kerry Hospice fundraising Chairman Jack Shanahan.
“Our fundraisers are completely voluntary, supported by local committees throughout the county. While our name reflects the aspirations of our original mission, creating a hospice service to support patients and their families on their final journeys, our emphasis has broadened.
Voluntary Donations
“Hospice care will always be a vital part of our mission, but palliative care is equally important. “This means,” Jack explains: “that often we support patients that are not terminally ill, but have complex medical conditions that require specialist interventions.
“Currently we fund multiple aspects of palliative care in the county. For instance, we paid, in full, for the building of both outpatient and inpatient units, both on the grounds of UHK. The capital cost alone was over €12 million, all of which was raised through voluntary donations, predominantly in the county.
Employment of Key Staff
“Additionally we also committed to funding just short of €3 million, over ten years, to help the HSE both run the inpatient unit and support essential positions.
“Some of this has already been spent, but we continue to commit funds to support the employment of key staff.
“Currently we are paying for two full time advanced nurse practitioners. The model we use is in partnership with the HSE, where local management is hugely supportive. Typically we fund positions for five years, after that the HSE takes over responsibility for their funding.
“Additionally we directly support beds in community hospitals, as well as a new satellite service based out of Killarney.
Direct Aid to Patients
“This facilitates South Kerry patients by allowing a more accessible location. Another important aspect is our home care service, where both specialist doctors and nurses call directly to patient homes.
“A current typical year sees almost 3,000 of these visits. Direct aid to patients and their families is a key part of our service.
“It is an unfortunate reality that an illness requiring palliative care can often have a devastating impact on family finances. Our experienced team identify and support those that need additional support.
Further Construction Needed
“The inpatient unit is nearing the five year anniversary of its opening. It has been full since it opened, typically caring for between 40 and 50 people a month.
“Its fifteen beds were anticipated to be sufficient for the county for the immediate future. Unfortunately, our projections were too optimistic. We now accept that we will have to commit to further construction and are in the process of planning the delivery of an extension with five extra beds.
“Last year we spent around €950,000 in the county, all of which is raised by our volunteers and supporters, like the Sunflower Days.
Fundraisers Not Paid
“Our anticipated capital expenditure will also be substantial. None of our fundraisers are paid, either directly or indirectly.
“It is an onerous burden that we take on, but with the optimism that every euro we raise makes a difference. As a community organisation, we take pride in our achievements but recognise that our work is not done,” said Mr. Shanahan.
A Gift from Kilkenny
Kerry Hospice Foundation fundraising department received a very welcome donation of €8,350 recently from the Kerry Association in Kilkenny led by former Irish rugby international, Mick Galwey.
The Kerry Association in Kilkenny raised the money with a gathering in the Pembroke Hotel in early March to celebrate Kerry achievements this year.
It was the first gathering in a few years and everyone was delighted to attend and to enjoy a night of good food, music, and craic Kerry style.
Some of Kerry’s greats joined them on the night the likes of: Mikey Sheehy and Mark Ó Sé along with dancer and footballer Tomás Ó Sé and his dad and musician, Pádraig Ó Sé.
Launching Sunflower Day
There was a raffle with many fantastic prizes which included a VIP overnight trip to attend the Late Late Show, two tickets to a Liverpool match in Anfield with two-nights accommodation, Bed & Breakfast at Tralee’s Ballyroe Heights Hotel, and a four ball in Ballybunion and a luxury medispa experience for two at Mint Kilkenny.
And, while they were in Castleisland for the presentation, Mick Galwey and his daughter Neasa helped with the launch of the Kerry Hospice Sunflower Day at Shanahan’s Haven Pharmacy.
Anyone wishing to volunteer as a collector in Castleisland on Sunflower Day, Friday June 9th is invited to contact Liz Galwey on: 086 283 3328 or Jack Shanahan on 087 8122668 or any committee member.
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