Public pour hearts into hospices’ coffee morning

HUNDREDS of thousands of people were sitting down to coffee across the country yesterday morning to raise money for the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Bewley’s coffee house on Dublin’s Grafton Street hosted the main event in aid of more than 7,500 people who benefit from hospice care annually.

It is estimated over half a million cups of coffee were poured in homes and workplaces all over Ireland in aid of the initiative.

The national coffee morning is co-ordinated by the IHF, but all funds raised around the country go directly to local hospice services.

More than 6,000 people were cared for at home by hospice homecare teams in2004, while more than 1,500 patients were looked after in a hospice setting.

IHF chief executive Eugene Murray said that while an enjoyable occasion, the day also has a very serious intent.

“Hospice care is about ensuring the best possible quality of life to the end for people with terminal illness,” he added.

Hospice care is provided free of charge and the IHF relies on fundraising to ensure that the service is maintained.

Broadcaster Marian Finucane hosted the Grafton Street coffee morning. Bewley’s provides free coffee nationwide for the event but participants were asked to donate at least €2 for every coffee consumed.