Here for the heroes
One of Cork's worthiest charity efforts has been launched for this year after a special fundraiser some of Cork's smallest heroes.
Mercy Heroes 2022 is to take place on Friday 21 October in aid of Mercy Kids & Teens Appeal. This was announced at a fundraiser in which some of Cork’s youngest heroes, Noah, Denis, Darragh and Calvin, who are all patients at the Mercy University Hospital, joined probationer firefighters from Cork City Fire Brigade.
Last Friday, the newest recruits to Cork City Fire Brigade undertook a fundraising mission which saw them do a bucket collection as they pushed and pulled a vintage fire truck through Cork city, finishing at the Mercy University Hospital.
Before they set off from Cork City Fire Station on Anglesea Street, the firefighters gave a tour of the station to Noah, Denis, Darragh and Calvin, who are the faces of Mercy Heroes this year. These brave little heroes are asking the people of Cork to join them and become a ‘Mercy Hero’ on 21 October and help support the youngest patients at the Mercy Hospital.
Funds raised through ‘Mercy Heroes’ will go towards the Mercy Kids & Teens Appeal and will support services like POONS (Paediatric Oncology Outreach Nursing Service). This service, the only one of its kind in Ireland, allows children with cancer to receive vital treatment in the comfort of their own home, helping to support families during such a difficult time.
Olga Buckley, Paediatric Oncology/Haematology CNS at The Mercy said: “Being able to deliver a home-based option to sick children has helped enhance their quality of life and allowed for some normalisation of family life during cancer treatment. POONS helps to cut back on the amount of time these patients need to spend in the hospital and gives them the opportunity to receive their treatment at home.”
Paschal McCarthy, CEO of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said: “For the past nine years, the Mercy Hospital Foundation has proudly provided funding for POONS. This October, anyone can become a ‘Mercy Hero’, and any donation, big or small, will help make a huge difference.”
He added: “Special thanks to Third Officer Ger Ryan and the Class of 2021/2022 recruits of Cork City Fire Brigade who gave our little heroes the tour of their station and engines and helped us launch Mercy Heroes 2022 with their vintage engine push.” Sign up to be a Mercy Hero or make a donation at mercyhospitalfoundation.ie.