Fundraiser launched to provide a third level hospice to the midlands area

The Midlands is the only region of Ireland that does not have a Level 3 Hospice.

Tullamore Lions Club, in association with the farming community in the Midlands, has launched a very ambitious community-based fundraiser, Hooves 4 Hospice, to provide funds to build a Level 3 Hospice to provide specialist end of life care and support for people in the 4 Midland counties – Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

The Project, which has the support of other Lions Clubs and the Irish Hospice Foundation, involves recruiting a large number of farmers willing to rear a young animal and has the potential to raise a sizeable sum of money for this much needed Midland Hospice.

The launch was attended by leaders of farming organisations, farm businesses, community leaders and health care staff throughout the midlands.

Well known RTE Ear to the Ground farm programme Presenter Ella McSweeney facilitated a discussion with two of the country’s best known sportsmen; Offlay man Michael Duignan and Dubliner Charlie Redmond who both lost loved ones, and both related their different experiences of family hospice care – one who had the experience of Level 3 hospice care and one who did not.

Mr Larry Fleming, welcoming everybody to the Launch in the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar, explained that Hooves 4 Hospice is the most ambitious project ever embarked on by the club to date.

“The success of this Project will potentially benefit every family in the region where specialist end of life care and support is needed,” he said.

Ms Sharon Foley, CEO, Irish Hospice Foundation, outlining the need for a Level 3 Hospice in the Midlands claimed people in the Midlands are at a disadvantage when it comes to hospice.

Mr Pat Lalor, chairman, of the Project committee, outlining how the Project will operate, explained that farmers are being asked to donate a young animal 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.

• Some farmers will donate and rear their own animal
• Others will donate an animal which will be placed with and reared by a host farmer
• 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 buying some Hooves on the web site, www.h4h.midlandhospice.ie

Mr Lalor explained that Tullamore Lions Club will source suitable animals and has set up a special sub-committee with farmer input to oversee that part of the project.

Animals purchased by Tullamore Lions Club and placed on host farms, will remain the property of Tullamore Lions Club
The Lions Club, he said, has had discussions with farmers and those involved in all aspects of cattle rearing and are very aware of all aspects of animal health and welfare.

Offaly Hospice Foundation has already set a very significant example by committing €500,000 towards the Midland Hospice Building Fund.

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/02/28/fundraiser-launched-to-provide-a-third-level-hospice-to-the-midlands-area/