Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation welcomed over 200 attendees to a special Volunteer Celebration Day on Friday 15th May at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris. The event, held ahead of National Volunteering Week (18th–24th May) and in the spirit of the UN International Year of Volunteers, honoured the Foundation’s dedicated long-standing volunteers and support groups while warmly welcoming those curious about getting involved.
The day featured live music and dance from Pat Mulchrone, refreshments, and an outside broadcast by Midwest Radio. Guests had the opportunity to meet the Foundation’s CEO Martina Jennings, board members, and the wider community of volunteers and supporters, and to hear first-hand about the vital role volunteers play in delivering hospice care across Mayo and Roscommon. Martina Jennings and Board Chair Paul Foxe were joined by volunteers Carmel Grady (Lisacul, Roscommon), Anne Lyons (Ballyhaunis, Mayo), Joanne Burke and Jackie Moloney, who shared their personal stories of why they volunteer and what it means to be part of the hospice community.
The event was a timely celebration as the Foundation’s National Sunflower Days fundraising campaign approaches, taking place on Friday 12th & Saturday 13th June. Anyone who can offer just two hours to help with collections across Mayo and Roscommon is warmly encouraged to get involved. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to palliative care in the west of Ireland.
Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said:
“Volunteers are the cornerstone of everything we do at Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. The Mayo Hospice, Roscommon Hospice, and our Community Palliative Care Teams would not be possible without the commitment, generosity, and dedication of our volunteers.
With the upcoming development of our Sunflower Children’s Hospice, the need for our services continues to grow, and so too does our need for caring and committed volunteers. We are also sincerely appreciative of our voluntary Board of Directors, who give so generously of their time and expertise, and who carry out their governance responsibilities with the utmost professionalism, diligence, and care.
Today has been a truly special opportunity to personally thank these remarkable individuals and celebrate the extraordinary impact they make. As it is National Volunteering Week, we are incredibly proud to honour their contribution and to welcome new volunteers who will help continue this vital work into the future. Whether you can spare a few hours each month or more, your support can make a real difference. ”
Paul Foxe, Chair of the Board of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, also addressed the gathering, saying:
“Events like today remind us just how much this community cares. Our volunteers give so freely of their time and energy, and in doing so they make it possible for us to be there for families at the most difficult moments of their lives. On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our deep gratitude to every single one of them. We are so proud of what has been built here, and excited about the future as we grow our services to reach even more people across the Western Seaboard.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering is encouraged to visit hospice.ie/volunteer/ or contact the Foundation directly at info@hospice.ie or 094 9388666.
