Join the coffee revolution and help south westmeath hospice

Ireland is undergoing a coffee revolution – and you can be part of it! On Thursday, September 18, people all over Westmeath are being asked to enjoy a Bewley’s #coffee4hospice - and to raise much needed funds for their local hospice service at the same time.

Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning, has become an institution since it first started brewing 22 years ago. Over 15 million cups of Bewley’s coffee have been enjoyed and an estimated €30 million raised for hospice care nationwide in this period.

The huge success of Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning has been boosted by the development of a thriving coffee culture, with the country going crazy for a good brew.

On Thursday, September 18, people in workplaces, homes and local organisations across Westmeath are being asked to hold a coffee morning and to collect €2 for each cup of Bewley’s fresh coffee consumed.

All money raised locally at #coffee4hospice events stays locally and goes directly back to fund local Hospice care services. Hospice or palliative care is for patients and their families at the stage in a serious illness where the focus has switched from treatment aimed at cure to ensuring quality of life.

Money raised on September 18 will go towards supporting the many hospice home care teams countrywide.

Dr Tony Lowry Chairman, South Westmeath Hospice Foundation, said: “The South Westmeath Hospice Foundation was established in 1994 to help meet the needs of patients through training, the provision of Nurses and Equipment and the Respite Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone. It also enabled the provision of service by nurses on the Home care team who assisted people with life threatening illnesses and their families by providing support at home.

In August 2010 we opened a four bed inpatient palliative care unit on the grounds of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone. “The vast majority (€1.45 million) of the €1.9 million required to fund its construction was, financed from our fundraising campaigns and voluntary donations. However, fundraising efforts must continue so that services can be provided on and ongoing basis in the future.”

Money raised will also help fund more hospice beds and associated staff. Hospice services are facing ever increasing demands on their services and going by current population figures there should be 450 hospice beds in the country. However, there are only an estimated 155 hospice beds available with approximately 44 ready but not yet operational.

Anyone can host a coffee morning and Bewley’s provides the fresh ground coffee free of charge. Registration advice and details on how to get your special complimentary Bewley’s fresh ground coffee pack can be obtained by contacting Karen Cunningham of South Westmeath Hospice 087 948 0007. People can register to host a coffee morning on www.Irelandsbiggestcoffeemorning.ie