Coffee lovers urged to support Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for your local hospice

Communities across the country are being urged to gather a group this Thursday, September 22, and do coffee their way for the 30th Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice.

And if they can’t host a coffee morning social, people are being asked to donate to help raise funds to support the work of hospice groups where they live.

“We are delighted Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice is back for another year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services around Ireland,” said Margaret Claffey, chairperson of North Westmeath Hospice.

“The ongoing support for this campaign over the last 30 years is a testament to the generosity of our coffee morning hosts, donors, ambassadors, and our long-time sponsor Bewley’s.

“The funds raised each year by the Irish public ensure we continue to provide vital support to individual patients and their families every day.”

Brendan Gleeson has also called on people to donate in a bid to raise €1.5 million nationwide for “life affirming” hospice services across Ireland.

The Hollywood star launched the 30th Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice, which has raised over €41.5 million since its inception, joining hospice hosts and volunteers at the Bewley’s café on Grafton Street.

“While your illness has defined you as a patient, hospice care looks beyond your illness and sees you as a whole person – with wishes, goals, hobbies and interests,” said the actor, whose late parents were cared for in St Francis Hospice in Dublin.

Gleeson, 67, whose latest film, The Banshees of Inisherin, is due out in October, said patients are “so well looked after, allowing them to live as full and independent lives as possible, for as long as possible”.

“It takes great courage for patients and families to avail of hospice services to ensure that their loved ones’ needs are met at this important time in their lives. In my experience, hospice care is life affirming and enriching,” he said.

“This year we really want to see people get creative with their events and coffee creations and take time together with loved ones to help make this the best year yet.

“And if you can’t host a coffee morning social, please donate to your local hospice at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.”

Together for Hospice, the national hospice movement, represents 26 hospice and specialist palliative home care providers supporting patients and their families nationwide.

Funds raised locally stay local and go back into each local hospice service, helping to pay for medical and general staff, palliative care beds, home care visits, specialist equipment and new hospice builds.

Jason Doyle, MD at Bewley’s Ireland and UK, described the 30-year partnership with Hospice as “very special”.

“After a difficult couple of years for fundraising, we hope people across Ireland will dig deep and make this a landmark year for the Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice,” he said.

“At the heart of our business is a commitment to care for people and communities, so we urge everyone to host a coffee morning social to help support the incredible work Hospice carries out every day.”

Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday September 22, or on a date that suits you, at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or Call save 0818 995 996.

Hosts are provided with free Coffee Morning Packs containing Bewley’s coffee, posters and invitations.

If you can’t host, you can make a donation to your local hospice at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.