Fundraising for hospice for 20 years

Ardcroney's Mary remarkable story

The simple act of boiling a kettle sparked a 20-year fundraising streak for Tipperary’s Mary Hogan, who is joining a nationwide army of ‘superheroes’ aiming to raise €2 million during Ireland’s biggest coffee morning.

Mary, who lives in Ardcroney, will be part of a legion of volunteers throughout the country fundraising for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice - a charitable phenomenon which has raised €43.2 million since 1992.

The official event day is September 21, but local households and businesses are being urged to host a coffee morning whenever they can, and if they can’t host, donate.

“I started hosting in the simplest way you could possibly believe,” said Mary.

“My colleague mentioned that she was doing a coffee morning in aid of North Tipperary Hospice Movement, and when I asked her how I could do the same, she said, ‘you just have to boil the kettle, Mary’.

“So, I asked to boil a kettle in Ardcroney and hoped that someone would come.

“I thought, even if they didn't, it would be an experience and I was doing what I could. Well, the loveliest people came that morning and I was thrilled.”

Commenting on the 20 years of fundraising, Mary maintains that many hands make light work.

“I'm only able to fundraise thanks to all those who help to organise the event each year,” said Mary.

“I could host coffee mornings forever but if people don't come through the doors, it would be for nothing. it's the community support that makes all the difference.”

After leaving her native Cork to study General Nursing and Midwifery in Manchester, Mary married and moved to Nenagh in 1970, where she raised her four children.

She agreed to cover a shift for two weeks in Bushy Park Nursing Home, Borrisokane, and ended up spending over 18 years there, before moving on to St Conlon's Nursing Home.

Having lost two brothers to cancer, Mary has experienced the power of palliative care from both perspectives.

“Working in palliative care is extremely rewarding.

“You often end up knowing the patient better than their families do because they tell you a lot more and they're so appreciative. They're all lovely people going through a terrible time in their lives.

“I remember once, a man turned to me and asked how I could do the work I did, knowing that all my patients would end up in the same place.

“I just said to him that it's about looking after them until they get to that place. There is nothing as rewarding,” she said.

Supported by Bewley's since 1992, the national fundraising drive has so far raised over €43.2 million.

Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, represents 26 Hospice and specialist palliative home care providers supporting patients and their families.

Funds raised locally stay local and go back into each hospice to innovate, build new facilities, develop new services and deliver quality improvements and extra benefits for their patients and family members.

Register now to host a coffee morning on September 21 - or on a date that suits you - at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend one, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.