Ireland is undergoing a coffee revolution – and you can be part of it! On Thursday 18th September, people all over the country 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 18th September, people in workplaces, homes and local organisations across Ireland 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.
Speaking at the launch, TV and Radio Presenter Lottie Ryan said, “I am delighted to be supporting Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning this year and I would urge anyone who loves a coffee in the morning to get involved and raise money for their local hospice. The death of a loved one is a really stressful and upsetting time for families, and the support and care the hospice provides makes a real difference. On the 18th September, I will be enjoying my morning Bewley’s coffee knowing that I am also raising much needed funds for my local hospice, St Francis Hospice in Raheny.”
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 18th will go towards supporting the many hospice home care teams countrywide.
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. But today there are only an estimated 155 hospice beds available with approximately 44 ready but not yet operational.
Money raised through Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning does make a difference. For example in 2013:
• An average of 3,149 people accessed community specialist palliative care services every month. 23% of these were new patients, 7% above target and a 10% increase on 2012.
• An average of 732 new patients every month received specialist palliative care in the community, a 22% increase on 2012.
• 87% of people were seen within seven days of their referral to the service, 6% above target and a 14% increase on 2012.
Pat Quinlan, Chief Executive of Milford Care Centre in Limerick and Chair of the Voluntary Hospices Group, commented: Hospice services throughout Ireland remain committed to meeting growing demand, and in order to do so in these very challenging financial times we continue to rely heavily on generous public support from major fundraising events such as Ireland Biggest Coffee Morning. This event is based on the principle of “Support your Local Hospice”, so funds raised locally stay locally. There is tremendous goodwill from local communities who play a vital role in developing hospice services and we in the sector are very grateful for the ongoing public support we receive. By hosting or supporting a coffee morning on the 18th September and making time for what really matters you will no doubt be supporting your local Hospice.”
Mark Saunders, Bewley’s Brand Director said: “Bewley’s are delighted to continue their long-standing support of Ireland Biggest Coffee Morning for the 22nd year. Hospice care is about ensuring the best possible quality of life for people throughout our communities. Every cup of our coffee consumed on behalf of Hospice on the 18th September will contribute to making a difference to someone’s quality of life and we want as many people as possible to take part all over Ireland. We provide Bewley’s fresh ground coffee free of charge to all coffee morning hosts. The more cups of Bewley’s coffee that people enjoy, the greater the benefit that will be achieved for hospices and communities all over Ireland.”
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 your local hospice group or by calling the Irish Hospice Foundation on (01) 679 3188. People can register to host a coffee morning on www.Irelandsbiggestcoffeemorning.ie