THE contribution of the late William McLysaght to the state-of-the-art facilities at Raheen Community Hospital will be remembered in a fundraising climb of Moylussa on Saturday, January 14.
Mr McLysaght was co-founder of Raheen Hospital Support Group and passed away in May of last year. His efforts, combined with those of a dedicated committee, facilitated significant development and expansion of the HSE-run hosptial, which will shortly unveil a new extension and kitchen facilities.
As well as paying tribute to Mr McLysaght, the aim of the fundraising climb is to secure services for those who attend the day centre in Raheen, through the purchase of a new mini-bus. The existing bus has been on the road for six years taking people from 17 villages and townlands to Raheen for a range of vital services, five-days-a-week.
“After those years on the roads of East and South East Clare, from Flagmount down to O’Brien’s Bridge, the bus needs to be replaced,” explained Mary Cassidy, Secretary of Raheen Community Hospital Support Group.
“It travels all over the region from Monday to Friday and we could have 15 to 17 people coming to the day centre every day. They come in for meals, all kinds of activities from music to art, hairdressing and chiropody. The minibus also takes Raheen Community Hospital residents to and from medical appointments, and on regular outings to the likes of Bunratty, Glór and the beaches in the summer months.”
A target of €70,000 needs to be raised for the new minibus. It is on order and will be specially modified and available to the community hospital in June. Financial support has also been contributed by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, who have supported work to extend the newly-expanded kitchen facilities.
“We were delighted to be supported by JP McManus,” Mary said. “There was some extra money left over from the project to extend the kitchen services, so we asked if we could put that towards the minibus. They invited us to make the case for that funding and we were delighted that they accepted our proposal.”
Anticipation is building at the community hospital ahead of the opening of a new ward and kitchen extension. “The official opening by the HSE will take place soon and will be a great occasion for everyone involved with the hospital,” Mary said.
The Moylussa climb is the first of a number of activities to fund the new minibus. The climb is expected to take around five hours to complete and anyone wishing to participate is asked to assemble at 10.30am at Two-Mile Gate. An entry charge of €15 applies and refreshments will be served. Anyone who cannot attend on the day can purchase a wristband for the same fee. These are available by contacting Mary on 087-6547202.