Family who organised ball present charity with cheque for over 20k

A Mullingar family who were moved by the knowledge of the difference access to the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing Service can make to families, have done their bit to help keep the service up and running.

The Tuite family last week presented a cheque for a whopping €20,889 to the Irish Cancer Society, the proceeds of their Night Nurse Valentine’s Ball, held at The Greville Arms Hotel on Valentine’s night, as well as a number of other fundraisers including churchgate collections and bagpacking sessions.

Eimear Kellett, of the Irish Cancer Society, who accepted the cheque, explained that the Night Nursing Service allows ill patients to receive end-of-life care at home, surrounded by their families and supported by the home care nursing team.

It is, she said, the only free, out-of-hours nursing service available to cancer patients in Ireland.

Night Nurses sit with the patient through the night, providing nursing care, practical support and reassurance. Funding ensures that the night nursing care is free of charge for up to ten nights.

Demand for the service has grown an average of 11% per year over the past six years. Every night, there are about 30 nurses around the country in homes caring for people who are ill.
On average, the Irish Cancer Society employs over 220 night nurses nationwide.

See more at cancer.ie