THE annual church gate collection in aid of the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital has been deferred.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Directors of the Friends of LUH.
The collection, to have been made at churches across Donegal, was due in mid-October.
“The decision was taken on account of the government restrictions in place in combatting the Covid19 pandemic and to not expose our many collectors to any undue health risk,” the Friends of LUH said.
“The annual collection accounts for around €20,000 income which the Friends use to fund the dedicated bus that takes patients from Donegal to St. Luke’s Hospital in Dublin for radiotherapy treatment each week free of charge, to provide seed capital to fund new service developments in the hospital and to respond to smaller pleas for support within departments when public funding is not forthcoming.
“The friends acknowledge that this past few months have been very challenging for charities, voluntary groups and sporting organisations that primarily rely on the goodwill and generosity of the general public for their funding.
“We plan to continue our work as best we can during the pandemic to support the hospital and enhance services of patients.”
Over the past 28 years, the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital have raised over €7million which has kick-started many new service developments in the hospital for the benefit of the people of Donegal.
Among the many services provided is the transport of patients free of charge to the national centre in Dublin for radiotherapy treatment.
The group is asking for contributions to support the work of the Friends of LUH which can be made in any of the following ways:
1. By leaving a contribution marked “Friends” to the reception desk at LUH
2. By donating electronically from the comfort of your own home via iDonat. (log on to our website www.thefriends.ie and following the iDonate on line tag).
3. By direct debit in your bank. Details are as follows: IBAN – IE86AIBK 937347 20125105; BIC – AIBIE2D
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