Joyful day of community spirit as Sacred Heart Hospital enjoys family fun day

Memories of the much-loved Sacred Heart Hospital (SHH) Castlebar Garden Fete inspired the return of a day dedicated to celebration, togetherness and fun. After several years of a  pause, staff eagerly came together to reinvent the tradition and ever since, the ‘SHH Family Fun Day’ was born.

Attendees arrived with pride, bringing along delicious traditional dishes from their cultures to share with all. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the Tombola Stall saw happy winners walking away with fabulous prizes, while the BBQ kept everyone well-fed and satisfied. Residents who were able to go outside watched on and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

One of the most anticipated parts of the day, the traditional sports games, did not disappoint. From the Spud and Spoon race to the three legged race, sack race and the competitive tug of war, there was laughter at every turn. The children took part, proudly donning medals after their victories. The local Fire Brigade added to the excitement, giving little ones a close-up look at the fire engines and posing for photos.

But the fun wasn’t just for the children. The ‘not-so-little ones’ joined in with equal enthusiasm, turning the field into a lively competition filled with cheers, playful rivalry and unforgettable moments. Raffle prizes were drawn throughout the day, keeping spirits high.

As the afternoon continued, live musicians filled the venue with music, dancing and good cheer, adding the perfect finishing touch to an already unforgettable day.

Director of Nursing, Geo Jose Aruvelickal stated: “It was truly heart-warming to see our hardworking staff relax, connect and celebrate together through food, fun and friendship. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event possible, especially our incredible staff and generous sponsors. Your support and enthusiasm brought this special day to life and we look forward to many more celebrations ahead.”

A staff member commented “Fantastic fun day. My grandchildren were asking me if they could come back next year.” Whilst a staff member’s daughter stated “I loved it. I was doing Henna for people. It was very busy.”

Pictured above, from left: Aileen Vahey, Clinical Nurse Manager 1; Ivano Susan, Staff Nurse; Simi James, Staff Nurse; Basseena Baby, Staff Nurse; Aswathy Baby, Staff Nurse; Lissa Raju, Acting Clinical Nurse Manager 1; Carol McCaffrey, Clinical Nurse Manager 1; Cini Joseph, Staff Nurse; Bindhu Suresh, Staff Nurse; Donna Hyland, Clinical Nurse Manager 2; Archana Varkey, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 and Anne Abraham, Staff relative.

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