Pictured above are Fintan Fagan, CEO St. Francis Hospice Dublin; Cathriona Keogh, Clinical Nurse Manager; actor Brendan Gleeson and Brian McKeon, Construction Director, MKN Property Group. Photo by John Ohle
Oscar-nominated actor Brendan Gleeson is lending his support to the Living Today, Building for Tomorrow campaign towards a new inpatient hospice facility.
St Francis Hospice Dublin is also calling on the construction sector to get behind the development of the unit planned to provide specialist palliative care to the people of North Dublin and beyond.
Returning to Ireland from a successful awards season for the movie Banshees of Inisherin, Gleeson was on hand to personally support the hospice, an organisation close to his heart.
In the early 2000s, both his parents were cared for by St Francis. The actor has spoken publicly about their, and his, experience with St Francis Hospice Dublin.
“I’ve said before how life affirming and enriching hospice can be,” he said. “The reason I lend my support to St Francis Hospice is because I believe the care and dignity that is afforded to patients is something that should be available to everyone in our community.
“St Francis Hospice must make sure they expand to help everyone who needs them. I am proud to be an ambassador for the Living Today, Building for Tomorrow campaign as the patient is always at the centre of everything the hospice does and that is no different for this redevelopment.”
MKN Property Group has also pledged support of the campaign as a partner. The property development company has built an extensive portfolio of properties across Dublin.
“As a forward thinking company we appreciate and understand what St Francis Hospice Dublin is working to achieve with this redevelopment,” said MKN’s Brian McKeon.
“It makes sense to support this vital community service to help meet our social value obligations. It is wonderful that the programme supports companies like ours to meet ESG targets and enables companies at all levels within the construction sector to lend their support for this worthy cause.”
St Francis Hospice Dublin has called on the construction sector to support the development of the new in-patient unit planned for Raheny. The campaign is being supported by actor Brendan Gleeson
Construction donors needed to raise €3.5million
St Francis Hospice is appealing to construction companies to support their project by becoming donors. The hospice offers various tiers of support packages that allow companies to contribute in a way that suits them best.
By becoming a donor, companies can make a significant impact on the hospice’s ability to provide care to patients and families.
By partnering with St Francis Hospice, construction companies can not only make a positive impact on their local community but also demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility.
The campaign will see those working in or alongside the construction sector coming together to fundraise nearly €3.5million to support the cost of the redevelopment of the new Raheny facility.
Speaking at the launch, Fintan Fagan, CEO of St Francis Hospice Dublin, noted how the changing needs of the community and the growth in population will require the hospice to grow and adapt significantly by the end of the decade.
“This redevelopment will enhance St Francis Hospice Dublin’s ability to provide highest quality range of services and place patients and their families’ needs at the centre of this project,” he said. “The very nature of palliative care has changed over the last number of years.
Pictured is Cathriona Keogh, St Francis Hospice Dublin Clinical Nurse Manager and actor Brendan Gleeson. Photo by John Ohle
Patients are living longer with more complex conditions and the need for the types of services that St Francis Hospice Dublin provides has increased.
“At the heart of palliative care is the aim to improve quality of life for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Palliative care is not just about end of life but can help people at every stage of a patient’s illness.”
St. Francis Hospice is a voluntary organisation under the care of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Its services include community palliative care, outpatients and day services, inpatient units and bereavement care.
The redevelopment project itself will see the facility developed to include single occupancy rooms for all 24 beds, moving away from the three four-bedded wards that currently exist in the 19-bed inpatient unit.
The new building will include dedicated family areas along with the required clinical support facilities. The new build will link to the existing St Francis Hospice building by a pedestrian bridge.
To learn more about the campaign visit www.sfh.ie or call Eimear Kellett on 086 066 8675.
