Ennis councillor Mary Howard has been honoured with a ‘Sunflower Hospice Hero’ award for her outstanding dedication to The Clare Hospice at Cahercalla.
Mary, whose late mother was one of the first patients to be cared for in the Clare unit, has been involved with hospice for over 20 years and was among 23 volunteers across the country honoured for their contribution to hospice care.
The presentation took place in the Mansion House Dublin at the national launch of Hospice Sunflower Days.
The annual fundraiser for the hospice movement in Ireland is happening on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th. It is hoped €1 million will be raised. The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) coordinates the event on behalf of the hospice movement including Clare Hospice at Cahercalla. All funds raised locally, stay locally.
Clare Hospice at Cahercalla said it nominated Mary for her generosity of spirit and acts of kindness and goodwill.
“Mary’s involvement with the hospice stems from her late young mother being cared for in our Hospice Unit in the early 1990’s. All of Mary’s family have a unique affection for and connection to Cahercalla. Mary is a local Councillor and spends her days and nights looking out for anyone whose path in life is challenged. We are so privileged to have Mary Howard living in our community and it is with enormous pride that we nominate Mary for a Sunflower Hero Award.
Mary never misses an opportunity to further our cause. Mary brings enthusiasm, fun, goodwill and plenty of craic to any fundraiser we are involved with,” the spokesperson said.
People can support their local hospice service on June 9th and 10th by purchasing various pieces of Sunflower merchandise – including sunflower pins for €2 each from collectors on the streets of cities, towns and villages across Ireland.