Marty Morrissey backs hospice ‘angels’ ahead of national coffee morning fundraiser
Mid-West residents invited to take part supporting hospice services on September 25
BROADCASTER Marty Morrissey is calling on people across the mid-west to rally behind a major national fundraiser, supporting Ireland’s hospice workers, whom he describes as “angels.”
The RTÉ Gaelic games commentator is serving as an ambassador for Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, an annual event that has raised €47.6 million for hospice care since its launch in 1992.
Organised by Together for Hospice, this year’s fundraiser takes place nationwide on September 25.
Speaking about his involvement, Morrissey said he’s become more aware of his own mortality and hopes to receive hospice care when the time comes, having seen its impact first-hand.
Marty said, “My lust for life is as strong today as when I was 22,” he 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 praised the compassion of hospice staff, recalling how they cared for his loved ones in their final days.
“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,” he said.
“If I was heading into my final days, I would like that for myself and for my family.”
He urged locals to visit hospicecoffeemorning.ie and take part in the fundraiser to support hospice teams across Ireland.
Mary O'Brien, CEO of Milford Care Centre, highlighted the importance of the event saying “Now in its 33rd year, Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice is one of our most cherished fundraisers. It supports in-patient and community services nationwide, thanks to the incredible generosity of our coffee morning hosts.”