Leading sporting figures to attend Mullingar launch of midland hospice fundraiser

Fundraising for a new Midland Hospice will receive a major boost this month with the launch of an ambitious cattle rearing project Hooves4Hospice- the first venture of its kind.

The midlands is the only area in the country without a hospice – but there are aims to establish a sixteen-bed unit at the regional hospital in Tullamore, to serve Westmeath, Longford, Offaly and Laois.

The cost of the hospice building will, however, have to be raised voluntarily, and the Tullamore Lions Club in association with the midland farming community is behind Hooves4Hospice, which will see volunteer farmers asked to take in a three-month old calf and rear him over the course of approximately a year.

The launch of the fundraiser will take place at the Greville Arms Hotel this Thursday, January 16  at 7.30pm, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Well known RTE farm presenter Ella McSweeney will facilitate an interview with two of the country’s best known sportsmen – fomer Offaly hurler Michael Duignan and former Dublin footballer Charlie Redmond who have both lost loved ones and who will both relate their different experiences of family hospice care.

The project is supported by other Lions Clubs in the midlands and by the Irish Hospice Foundation. Ms Sharon Foley CEO, Irish Hospice Foundation will attend and speak on the night.

The Offaly Hospice Foundation has already committing €500,000 towards the midland hospice project.