New Midland Hospice Beginners Steeplechase to feature at Kilbeggan Races

A Hooves 4 Hospice project

The race card at the Kilbeggan Summer Festival of Racing this bank holiday Sunday will feature the ‘New Midland Hospice Beginners Steeplechase’.

The event combines with the generosity of the midlands farming, business and school community, in the fundraising efforts of Hooves4Hospice towards building a 16-bed level 3 hospice for the midlands.

Chairman of the project, Pat Lalor, thanked Paddy Dunican, manager of Kilbeggan Race Course, his committee and Horse Racing Ireland for their commitment and support for the project.

He said Hooves 4 Hospice are delighted to be associated with the races.

“Their generosity in allowing us to promote our project at one of their premier race meetings is very much appreciated by everybody involved,” he added.

The hospice project is supported by Midland Lions Clubs and the Irish Hospice Foundation. The midlands is currently the only region of Ireland that does not have a Level 3 hospice.

Earlier this year Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, TD, allocated €1 million to progress the development of the proposed hospice.

The project involves farmers being asked to donate young animals that they or a host farmer will rear for 12 to 18 months.

When that donated animal is sold the proceeds will go directly into the Midland Hospice Building Fund.

1. Some farmers will donate and rear their own animals

2. Others will donate animald which will be placed with and reared by host farmers

3. The Lions Club will purchase young animals, where necessary, to be placed on host farms.

Members of the public can contribute to the cost of purchasing these animals by making a donation through h4h.midlandhospice.ie.