Brendan Gleeson launches coffee morning for hospice

Actor Brendan Gleeson is encouraging people across Laois to get behind a €2.4million national fundraising drive for 24 Hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers that comprise Together For Hospice, the national hospice movement.

The legendary actor is asking everyone to get brewing ahead of next month’s Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, which has raised €45.3million for frontline hospice care since 1992.

This year’s event takes place on Thursday 26 September – but supporters can host or attend one on a date that suits them, with every cent raised locally going to their local Hospice.

Both of Gleeson’s parents spent their final days in Saint Francis Hospice in Dublin, which is set to begin work on a new 24 single-room in-patient unit, at a cost of €29 million.

The Oscar-nominated actor said: “I’m aware that I’m in the final chapters but you’re just trying to keep the creaky bits moving as well as possible. A great quote shared with me years ago was ‘good health is a golden crown which only those who are ill can see’, so the person who is sick is seeing how glorious it is.

I try to keep an eye on the crown and as long as I’m motoring around alright, I appreciate life,” as he officially launched the fundraiser in Bewley’s Café, Dublin.

He added: “I am asking everyone in Laois on September 26, or whenever suits them, to organise, support or donate to a coffee morning, wherever it might be held.” Chairperson of the Laois Hospice Foundation Mary Delaney said:“We are delighted Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of Together For Hospice’s longest and most loved fundraisers, is now in its 32nd year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services across Ireland.

“It is a chance to celebrate our coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities. This ongoing, unwavering support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, enhancing care for patients living with life-limiting illness.” You can register to host a coffee morning at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or phone 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate