Night at the Lavey for local hospice
The 20th annual Christmas Fundraising Gala in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice, Cavan, will take place at the Lavey Inn on Thursday evening, December 29. Mike Denver and his band will provide the musical entertainment for the evening, which will also include a Christmas buffet and raffle with fantastic prizes.
Jim Lalor, chairperson of the hospice, said that fundraisers like this are essential to the future of the service. The hospice is set to upgrade its facilities in 2023 to deliver a new 16-bed, state-of-the-art hospice on the outskirts of Cavan Town.
"The public are fantastic. We're very grateful to everyone who raises money, we couldn't go ahead without them. The gala dinner is one of many brilliant events that allows us to continue to develop our new hospice. We need constant funding. The new centre will be for Cavan and Monaghan, unlike the previous one which was just for Cavan, so we're looking forward to people from both counties getting involved in the fundraising."
The new facility is badly required according to Jim.
"The new hospice is badly needed in the area, especially when it comes to respite as it massively eases the burden on both people who are suffering from a serious illness, as well as their families, as it allows them to have a much-needed break."
Jim also gave an update on how the new hospice is developing.
"We're putting the final touches into getting a place for our plans to build a 16-bed hospice, which will replace the current 13-bed unit. Once we finalise the designs, we will seek planning permission and put it out to tender. It will be on the same site as the current one on the Loreto Road, which was kindly donated by the Loreto Order of Nuns.
"Our current hospice is a level two but the new one will be level three, meaning it is state-of-the-art and will be able to cater for both disability and palliative care. It will be consultant-led and will have top-class facilities meaning it’ll be the same as the hospice in Harold’s Cross and in Raheny."
Last year the hospice received funding of €1 million from Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly when he visited the site.
Tickets for tomorrow's buffet and dance cost €35. They are available to purchase from Multisound Cavan or the Lavey Inn directly.