Hooves4Hospice fund now worth more than €1m

Tullamore Lions Club have announced that the current value of their ‘Hooves4Hospice’ fundraising project is €1.06 million.

“That figure exceeds our ambitions and reflects the generosity of farmers, the agricultural community generally, many schools, community groups and individuals,” said Pat Lalor, chairman, Hooves 4 Hospice Fundraising Project.

Mr Lalor said the bulk of the funds have come from the four midland counties that the regional hospice will serve, though significant support has also come from across the four provinces.

“The success of our fundraising project reflects a remarkable level of understanding of the disadvantage experienced by those who need inpatient palliative care in the midlands, in not having such a facility available in the region.

At last, the prospect of that disadvantage disappearing soon, is in sight. That optimism stems from the decision of the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in selecting the Arden Lane site as the preferred location at which to locate the midland regional hospice.

“The site selected is south facing and is capable of meeting all the guidelines of the Department of Health in relation to the location and facilities that constitute a modern hospice.

“Tullamore Lions Club has offered the Arden Lane site free of charge and unconditionally to the HSE – the construction and commissioning of the hospice is the responsibility of the HSE.”

Mr Lalor said the design team, Coady Architects, have already formed views based on modern best practice that will inform their thinking in relation to the design of our regional hospice.

He said the HSE will be issuing invitations to interested parties and individuals to attend information events at which the design team will outline their design approach and answer questions.

“We exhort everyone who can to attend one of these events.”