Porters raise almost €20,000 to help seriously ill children
Money raised by recycling more than 120,000 bottles and cans has bought a mobile high-flow oxygen therapy unit for babies and children in CUH.
The mobile unit is used when babies and children, battling bronchiolitis, pneumonia and asthma, are being transferred to other wards at CUH for babies and children.
The idea came about when three CUH porters, all named John, initially planned to buy a Chinese takeaway at the end of their night shift by cashing in the used containers however after deciding to hand over the proceeds to the hospital’s fundraising arm, CUH Charity, the initiative spiralled into one the country’s best-supported recycling efforts.
The fundraiser is now being run by colleagues John Collins and John Keenan who have spent the past seven months picking up used bottles and cans at the end of their shifts and redeeming them for cash under the Deposit Return Scheme.
John Collins said he never imagined the fundraiser would become such a runaway success. “We are overwhelmed that it has enabled the hospital to buy this equipment, or that we would even pass the €10,000 mark. We are doing it seven months now, we started on 3 May and the first donation to CUH Charity was €220. There is huge support from inside the hospital, we are collecting 12 bags of bottles and cans a day, averaging between 600 and 800 containers.”
He added: “And that’s without targeting the entire hospital, we don’t have the manpower to do that, if we did, we’d be up to €30,000. We’ll continue this for as long as we can – despite not getting the Chinese takeaway!”
Consultant paediatrician at CUH, Dr David Mullane, said the high-flow oxygen therapy (Airvo) unit is used to deliver increased and uninterrupted oxygen to infants and children with acute respiratory problems.
Many children receiving it require movement between different areas of the hospital and occasionally, transfer to intensive care.
Dr Mullane said: “To maintain Airvo delivery during transfer in these circumstances, a mobile device with its own external battery or power source is required. This new piece of equipment will provide that and allow seamless transfer while maintaining Airvo delivery.
“This will enable us to deliver the optimum care for patients in respiratory distress. We really appreciate our colleagues agreeing to fund this important equipment through their recycling efforts.”
CUH Charity Executive Director, Claire Concannon, said the organisation is indebted to the men for their tireless work. “To think that they have continued this incredible effort in their own time and made such a difference to young patients at the hospital, is a wonderful testament to their character, they deserve all the praise they receive.”