On Saturday week last our annual Bewley’s Coffee Morning in aid of Waterford and Marymount Hospices took place open air on The Mall in Lismore, as reported on last week in The Avondhu.
This was the tenth year of this beautiful event and from 6am on that Saturday morning, the usual dedicated volunteers plus a few new and eager individuals commenced erection of tents, gazebos, tables, chairs and an array of other equipment borrowed for the day from amazing supporters from Lismore and beyond.
Despite the gusting wind our prayers had been answered and the deluge of rain that fell for previous 48 hours ceased to fall and as the event got into full swing at 9am, and Lismore was awakened to the sounds of DJ Mad Mike the winds slowly eased as well and the sun eventually shone as in all previous years (we are definitely blessed by someone from above). Several people asked in the days leading up to this “What is plan B?” but I gave them Kelly Ryan’s answer “We will look after the coffee morning and Granny will look after the weather”.
By 9.30am we had the most amazing and sumptuous array of cake one could ever hope to see along with trays of sandwiches, sausage rolls, sweets and treats for the kids, apple juice, biscuits and snacks kindly donated by so many individuals who gave of their time and talent. It was especially inspiring to see some of our new residents from many different countries arriving with some beautiful and tasty bakes as a small token they said of “What Lismore has done for them”.
Once again, when asked to do photography and drone footage, Mikey Keane and his wife Gemma didn’t hesitate and indeed brought along their amazingly talented daughter, Chloe to provide beautiful face painting for the kiddies at short notice, and it was so lovely to see so many children so happy as they mingled with our mascot ‘Eddie the Teddy’ and our Disney character Snowman and posed for hundreds of photos. Gemmas wonderful work can be viewed online and once again through Gemma’s and Mikey’s talents we have an album to cherish which will provide lasting memories.
I can never thank enough the most amazing team of volunteers who arrive every year without fail and each year the numbers grow and many others expressed their eagerness to get involved next year which is truly heartwarming. Most people get involved to express their gratitude for the wonderful care, compassion and love shown to their loved ones and indeed themselves and it is this kind of commitment and community effort that will ensure the Hospice remain in place to continue the beautiful work they do long into the future.
We have become the biggest Bewley’s Coffee Morning in the country and were indeed mentioned and spoken about in the Taoiseachs office last week at a meeting with Hospice representatives. The CEO of Marymount, Dr Sarah McCloskey took time out of her busy schedule to visit us and as say a few words of thanks on behalf of the Hospice. She was ‘dumbstruck’ at the enormity of the event and the sheer level of commitment and as she approached the venue, she thought it was a “nightclub running late” or an episode of the Big Bake Off, as DJ Mad Mike belted out some Joe Dolan classics followed by two and a half hours from DJ Tom D! Thank you both for giving freely of your time and talent.
Geraldine Carroll a Waterford Hospice volunteer, spoke in gratitude on behalf of Waterford Hospice along with staying to serve as part of our volunteer team.
MARY IS ‘VIP’ GUEST
Our ambassador for the day who didn’t hesitate when asked, was Waterford camogie captain Lorraine Bray who brought along seven of her teammates and the National League trophy they won this year. Everyone was delighted to see them and they generously gave of their time to chat and pose for pictures. They gave special attention and words of kindness to our ‘VIP’ guest for the day Mary Coughlan (92), originally from Lismore but living in Worcester, England who flew over from UK with her carer and great friend, Kim Harris along with two of her daughters Bridget and Ljubica, to attend the coffee morning.
Mary supports the coffee morning annually, in thanks to the Hospice for the care and attention afforded their family over the years and as a true Lismore woman, has never failed to return to her native place at least once a year since emigrating over seventy years ago. She is indeed an inspiration to all.
Thank you to everyone who helped in anyway to make this year’s event another huge success and providing €6,033 and counting for Marymount Hospice and Waterford Hospice. And as an extra, we had a beautiful electric piano/ keyboard donated to Waterford Hospice within a half hour of my appeal on the Damien Tiernan show WLR – a beautiful gesture. This will provide another beautiful and soothing comfort to all in Waterford Hospice and anybody out there willing to entertain them for an hour at any time, please contact Sheila Quinn, fundraising manager at Waterford Hospice.
A candle lights in memory of all our loved ones and for you the wonderful supporters of our Hospice event.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir – John Ryan and Una O’Dowd, Lismore
