The Donegal Association of Philadelphia has shown great support for the community at home by raising $14,000 for the Donegal Hospice.
The cheque was presented to a delegation of businesspeople and local representatives from Donegal, Derry and Strabane, who are in the US this week on a North West Ireland Trade and Investment mission.
The trip got off to a great start on Monday evening when the group attended a special event hosted in the Irish Centre in Upper Darby Philadelphia. The Donegal Association proudly presented a cheque to the Mayor of Donegal Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill in aid of Donegal Hospice.
Maggie Fillinger, President of the Donegal Association in Philadelphia explained that “we are delighted to be in a position to offer this funding to Donegal Hospice which holds a special place in the hearts of all Donegal people living in Philadelphia. The work that is done by Donegal Hospice is outstanding and affects every family with a Donegal connection at some point in time. To be able to contribute in this way to support the work done by the Hospice gives us great pleasure.”
“We decided to undertake this fundraising as many of the families of the Donegal people living in Philadelphia have been supported by the Hospice during what is without doubt one of the most traumatic times in the lives of any family. To have this type of care available in Donegal is so important and so valuable and we felt we had to raise funds for such a worthy cause and to help support the operational costs incurred each year by the Hospice.”
Maggie explained that the fundraising committee was made up of Carmel Boyce (née Crossan), Mary Crossan, Brigid and Patsy Duddy and that the Donegal Philadelphia GFA were also very much involved in raising these funds and she thanked everyone involved for their hard work and generosity.
Mayor of Donegal Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill on accepting the cheque on behalf of Donegal Hospice said “The people of Donegal and the people connected to Donegal are very supportive to Donegal Hospice and without the generosity of communities like the community in Philadelphia, the Hospice would not be in a position to provide the wonderful service that they do.
“On behalf of the Donegal Hospice I would like to sincerely thank all of you for this very generous donation and I am fully confident that it will be put to such good use,” he said.
Each year Donegal Hospice requires €1.4 to €1.6 million to provide palliative care service in the 8 bed unit and also homecare palliative care in the community.
Donegal Hospice is currently providing nursing care for seven small children in Co. Donegal and are hoping to develop this service in conjunction with Belfast Hospice. In addition, the hospice is carrying out refurbishment on the 6 single rooms and 2 apartments as well as the day care unit and family room.
Cllr John Boyle, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council also attended the event and also thanked the people of Philadelphia for their kindness. He spoke about the outstanding work done by both the Donegal Hospice and the Foyle Hospice.
The event which was also attended by the Chief Executives of both Donegal and Derry City and Strabane District Councils as well as other senior officials and representatives from Letterkenny Institute of Letterkenny, was the first event of the North West Trade and Investment mission to the US and provided a great opportunity for the delegation to reach out and connect with those with strong family connections to the North West. A number of issues were discussed including opportunities to strengthen educational opportunities for US students to study in the North West and the unique partnership approach being undertaken by both Councils in the North West of Ireland to grow the region and to position it to respond in a positive way to challenges and opportunities including Brexit.
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