Marty Morrissey has paid a glowing tribute to the ‘angels’ in Ireland’s hospices - as he encouraged everyone to get behind a major national fundraiser supporting them.
The Gaelic games broadcaster said on Wednesday (Aug 13) he is conscious of his own mortality and would like to receive hospice care in his final days, having witnessed it first-hand. He was speaking as ambassador for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, the annual charity partnership which has raised €47.6 million for hospice care since 1992.
The fundraiser, organised by Together for Hospice, takes place nationwide on September 25.
“My lust for life is as strong today as it was when I was 22 or 23,” the RTÉ commentator said. “But as you get older, you’re far more conscious of getting blood tests done, dreading the results but hoping everything is fine."
“It is the circle of life, all we can do is hope that we can put it (death) off for as long as we can. “I’m in no rush to get to the other side!”
Morrissey said he personally witnessed the compassion shown by hospice staff when relatives received palliative care in the past.
“I thought it was amazing. Anyone who has visited a loved one in a hospice will be aware of the serenity, peace and joy – the good feeling that a loved one is being really well minded. “The work being done by nurses and care staff is truly incredible, they are a gift from God, they are angels. “If I was heading into my final days, I would like that for myself and for my family.
“What I’m trying to do as ambassador, in a very small way, is to support the people who do it, and I am urging everyone to go to hospicecoffeemorning.ie and get involved.”
Dr Sarah McCloskey, Chairperson, Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, said: “Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of our longest and most-loved fundraisers, is now in its 33rd year raising funds for Hospice in-patient and community services around Ireland.
“Right across Ireland, we are asking everyone to celebrate our countless coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities.This support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, greatly improving care for patients with life-limiting illness.”
Cól Campbell of Bewley’s Ireland, said the company is honoured to again support the event, recognised as the country’s most successful charity partnership.“Bewley’s, an iconic Irish brand, was founded on the strong principle of caring for people and communities, which ties in perfectly with the ethos of Together For Hospice.
“We encourage everyone to host or attend a coffee morning, wherever they are in Ireland, to help support the incredible work that hospices nationwide carry out every day.”
Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 25 - or on a date that suits you – at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, donate at: hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate
