Family's tribute raises over €12,000 for hospice

Over €12,000 has been raised for St Christopher’s Hospice by the community of Butlersbridge in memory of a local wife and mother.

Fiona Maguire tragically passed away in November 2019 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor four years earlier.

Her family decided to organise a massive fundraising effort in her memory, with €12,030.80 in total raised.

In a tribute penned by Fiona’s husband Padraig, he says the care she and her family received throughout her treatment was second to none:

“Fiona’s journey was made all the more comfortable through the wonderful care and treatment she received through the Hermitage Clinic in Dublin and ultimately ended in the exceptional and amazing care of the staff in St Christopher’s Hospice, Cavan.”

The work of St Christopher’s in particular was noted by Padraig and his family:

“We will always be eternally grateful for the incredible support and care that both Fiona and our families received during our time in St Christopher’s. The care, respect, dignity and compassion that each and every staff member gave Fiona and our families was second to none.”

It was the lack of capacity, with just three palliative care beds in the centre, that spurred the Maguire and Corrigan families on to fundraise during October.

People were encouraged to walk, run, cycle or kayak over the month and gather sponsorship.

Padraig paid tribute to all those who took part and Nora McCabe and Antoinette Kelleher from Butlersbridge who helped to organise the event.

He also praised all those who took part: “To each runner, walker and contributor, thank you - the funds raised are going towards the ongoing support and operation of an outstanding and vital facility at St Christopher’s Cavan. The support and development of this facility in Cavan will allow families to spend quality time with their loved ones in a very serene and peaceful environment.”

New hospice

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly gave approval for a new dedicated hospice building for St Christopher’s in recent months, with €1 million in funding announced for it in early December.

However, with an expected cost of €7.5 million for the build, another €3 million is needed to get it over the line.

Chair of the hospice Jim Lalor told the earlier this month that the help of people in Cavan and Monaghan will be needed:

“We probably need to raise another €3 million so we’re calling on people now. The weight of the fundraising, 99% of it anyway, has been done in Cavan. We’re appealing to people in Monaghan now to open the purse.”