Have a coffee for Marymount
Domhnall Gleeson is urging people across Cork to host coffee mornings next month to help raise €2 million for ‘extraordinary’ hospice services like Marymount University Hospital & Hospice.
The Hollywood star is supporting Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice, a fundraising drive which has generated €43.2m since 1992.
He joined hospice hosts and volunteers at the iconic Bewley’s café on Grafton Street last week, and asked everyone to host or support this year’s event on 21 September.
Both of Gleeson’s grandparents – his father Brendan’s parents – spent their final days in St Francis Hospice in Dublin.
“My grandma (Pat) was only there for a few weeks and that was my first experience of being around a hospice,” said the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Star Wars’ actor.
“I was incredibly close to her and I was struck by the atmosphere of care and kindness. She had a rough journey before she got there - and all of a sudden, that difficult road seemed less punishing to travel.”
He recalled thinking she seemed as ‘safe and cared for’ as possible. “It was such a relief,” he said.
“In terms of my granddad (Francis), we had been looking after him for a long time, probably about a year, and didn’t think he was going to last that long in hospice, but he was there for months.
“The care was extraordinary, but he had a new lease of life, it gives their body the care it needs, and makes them feel special.”
He also paid tribute to the incredible staff. “I don’t know how they do it; there is an incredible giving of oneself.”
Now in its 31st year, organisers hope to raise €2m in 2023, returning the countrywide fundraiser to pre-Covid levels and bringing the total raised since its inception beyond the €45m mark.
Funds raised locally stay local and go back into each hospice service, helping to pay for medical and general staff, palliative care beds, home care visits, specialist equipment and new hospice builds.
Dr Sarah McCloskey, CEO of Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, said: “It is a chance to celebrate our many coffee morning hosts across the county, who are an incredible testament to the dedication and committed nature of hospice supporters in local communities. This ongoing support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives enhancing care for patients living with a life limiting illness.”
Jason Doyle, Managing Director at Bewley’s Ireland & UK, said the company has stood “side by side” with Hospice since 1992.
“We ask people to register to host a coffee morning, supporting their local hospice, on hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818-995996 on 21 September - or a date that suits you.
“If you cannot host or attend one, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.”