Local hospice launch Bewley's coffee morning fundraiser
Margaret Claffey, chairperson, Tina Kellegher ambassador, and colleagues from the North Westmeath Hospice fundraising committee gathered at their Mary Street shop last week to finalise plans for this year’s main fundraiser.
It is the Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice and it takes place on Thursday September 21, on the Market Square in Mullingar, as is now an annual tradition.
Margaret explained that the event is in coordination with the national hospice movement.
“We at the North Westmeath Hospice will be having our coffee morning at the Market Square in Mullingar and we are looking forward to people stopping by to have a cup of coffee.
“As you know, all the money raised here stays local."
Tina pointed out that anyone can get involved and host a coffee morning at work or at home.
“If anyone wants to have a coffee morning in their own house, there’s still plenty of time to call in to the shop here on Mary Street and get your package, your lovely Bewley’s coffee, and posters and everything to prepare you for the day, and have your friends over, and make some money for a really worthwhile cause.”
‘Handmade For Hospice’ project
Evident at the launch event last Friday were the colourful items of furniture - indoor and street furniture - covered in wool.
They are part of the ‘Handmade For Hospice’ project, established in January 2022 by Trudy Maguire, and Veronica Larkin, NWH executive.
It grew out of a ‘Pumpkins for Hospice’ pilot project introduced by Trudy, which took place in October 2022.
Trudy brought her creativity as an artist at The Lake Studio Ennell to the role she commenced in 2022 at the hospice office.
The project was to gauge the level of public interaction with the office in Mary Street, and it was also a new fundraising initiative, as the hospice office is always seeking new ways to raise funds for the charity.
It was a success, and was the catalyst for the team to proceed and form a creative group, and ‘Handmade for Hospice’ was born.
Trudy said: “We invited volunteers and friends to join, to knit, crochet and sew. We meet once a week, on Thursdays from 11am to 1pm, at the office.
“We recommence our group on September 7, so if anyone is interested in joining, please call the office 085-7863891 or email info@northwestmeathhospice.ie.”