Calls made to support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation on sunflower day

Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, Miriam O’Callaghan, has called on members of the public to support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation on upcoming sunflower days.

Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, announced that Hospice Sunflower Days is returning for its thirty-fourth year. 

Twenty-two hospices nationwide will be taking part in the on-street collection on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. 

This year’s campaign was launched by Ms O’Callaghan. 

Once again, in addition to the on-street collection, the public will also have the opportunity to support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation online in the Virtual Sunflower Remembrance Garden now open until the end of June. 

With the option to sponsor a virtual sunflower ‘in memory’ of a loved one while making a donation, every euro raised locally stays local, as donors select which hospice they wish to support.

Speaking about the launch of the 2024 campaign, CEO, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Martina Jennings, said: “We are delighted to announce details of the thirty-fourth Hospice Sunflower Days campaign, and we are calling on the public to support us at Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation by donating on-street on the 7 and 8 June or online throughout the month to help us raise vital funds.” 

Hospices and specialist palliative home care services throughout the country provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, while also offering assistance to the patient’s family members. 

Hospices nationwide need to raise approximately €20 million each year to provide their patient centred care and as our population ages, demand for specialist hospice and palliative home care services continues to grow. 

In 2023 alone, Hospice services across Ireland cared for over 18,350 patients and their families, a 6 percent increase on 2022 figures, which is why fundraisers such as Hospice Sunflower Days are so important.

Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, Miriam O’Callaghan, said she is ‘delighted’ to be a part of this year’s Hospice Sunflower Days campaign.

She continued: “The support and care hospices and home care services provide to patients and their families is truly incredible, so I am calling on the public to help make a real difference by donating on-street or online during the Hospice Sunflower Days 2024 campaign this June. Every euro raised locally, stays locally, so your donation will really help services in your local area.” 

For larger organisations, such as schools and crèches, there is still plenty of time to get involved and host their own Hospice Sunflower Fun Day during the month of June.  

Simply register online to receive your free pack, pick a date to host a fun day, invite pupils to wear something yellow and ask families to donate. 

Further details on registering and donating can be found on the Sunflower Days website.