Donegal Democrat June 20th 2011

"Help Us to Help Others” - Kavanagh’s SuperValu Donegal
Fundraising Campaign in aid of Donegal Hospice
Launching their “Help Us to Help Others” campaign on the 6th of May 2011, Kavanagh’s SuperValu has committed to raising €30,000 minimum for the Donegal Hospice. With four SuperValu stores throughout Donegal, in Ballybofey, Buncrana, Donegal Town and Dungloe, the Kavanagh Group will give 5c to the Donegal Hospice with every Real Rewards transaction made throughout each store from May 6th 2011 until October 22nd 2011.
Recent fundraising activities include a fun filled day of car washing at their three stores in Ballybofey, Donegal Town and Buncrana on Saturday 11th June, the group collectively raised an impressive €2,716 washing cars from 10am-6pm. Kavanagh’s SuperValu Dungloe looks forward to hosting their car wash day on 1st of July.
Delighted with the success of the campaign, Manager of Supervalu Donegal Town Garreth Ferry says: “the fundraising is going great so far and we would like to thank all the staff, customers and community as a whole who are getting involved, especially in Saturday’s car wash here in Donegal Town which raised €413. Also a big thanks to Watson Hire for supplying the power washer. We have many more activities coming up so stay tuned and don’t forget to keep swiping”
A whole host of fundraising events have been planned by the four Kavanagh’s SuperValu stores in Donegal including a sponsored car wash in the Dungloe store on the 1st of July, A football match against Highland Radio in Finn Park on the 8th July, bag packs on the 30th July, a climb of Mount Errigal on the 21st August, and a flagship fun run and walk in September and a presentation night on the 22nd of October.
Commenting at Saturdays’ car wash, Manager of SuperValu Ballybofey, Charlie Ferry said: “Thanks to all the people of Finn Valley who came out and supported us today. We washed over 200 cars between 10am-6pm and raised an impressive €1200 in aid of the Donegal Hospice. It was lovely to see so many people come along and generously donate to the “Help Us to Help Others” Campaign”
The people of Dungloe have supported the campaign by holding a coffee morning in their local SuperValu. Organised by store manager Liam McShea, the event was a huge success with the people of Dungloe showing their support for Kavanagh SuperValu’s “Help Us to Help Others” campaign.
SuperValu Dungloe have also had a Bonanza Weekend Draw on the June bank holiday. The first prize of a flatscreen tv was won by Grace Roarty. Tickets were sold by staff and volunteers and managed to raise €1870 for the campaign. (see photo below)
Liam McShea, Manager of Kavanagh’s SuperValu Dungloe says, “Our aim to raise €30,000 is on track and here in Dungloe we’ve had massive support from our customes who are not only “swiping” their Real Rewards card for the Donegal Hospice but they also joined us last week for tea and biscuits and a catch up, which was really nice. We have a strong community spirit here and that was illustrated by the level of support we recieved.”
Buncrana is also right on track, having sucessfully completed a car wash in June along with Ballybofey and Donegal Town stores, they are looking forward to taking part in other events such as a fun day that takes place at the end of this month.
Noel Kavanagh, Managing Director of Kavanagh’s SuperValu says:
“We are delighted to be able to help the Donegal Hospice supporting them in their great work. We decided to approach the Donegal Hospice as it is a countywide charity and they are very much a local organisation. We also felt it was a charity that people including our customers could identify with.”
The Donegal Hospice opened in Knocknamona, Letterkenny in 2003 and is now a well-established high quality service for people in Co. Donegal who require palliative and terminal care.
The multidisciplinary palliative care team, are based in the Hospice but extend out into the community and local hospitals. There are experts from many disciplines that tend to the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patients suffering from a terminal illness. The Donegal Hospice also offers day care services to promote and maintain the best possible quality of life for patients well enough remain at home.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Hospice, and the Hospice support movement works in partnership with the HSE. The support group, Donegal Hospice Ltd, is responsible for providing up to 20% of the annual running cost of the facility and this is a challenge every year.
Come along to SuperValu and enjoy the benefits of your SuperValu Real Rewards Cards as well as helping out your local Hospice, For more information see Kavanagh’s SuperValu Donegal on Facebook.
The money raised will help the Donegal Hospice in its work. Below we outline the importance of this fundraising campaign.
Hospice Background
• The Donegal Hospice movement founded in 1988 is a charitable organisation totally dependent on the renowned generosity of the people of Donegal.

• In 1990 Donegal Hospice was formed as a Limited Company and in 2003 the new hospice building was opened in Knocknamona, Letterkenny at a cost of 2.7 million Euros. 52% of this cost was provided by the community in Donegal.

• The Hospice movement works in partnership with the HSE, who have generously committed a substantial contribution to the running of the Hospice.

• The Hospice is run by a nurse manager and a very dedicated team of professionals. Clinical issues are the responsibility of the regional consultant in palliative medicine and a number of doctors who specialise in this area.

• There are now five homecare sisters providing a professional and dedicated service to the terminally ill people in their own homes, throughout the county.

Palliative Care
• Palliative care is the active total care of a patient’s needs from first diagnosis of a terminal illness until their last days

• The ‘multidisciplinary palliative care team’, are based in the hospice but extend out into the community and local hospitals. They are experts from many disciplines that tend to the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patients suffering from a terminal illness.

• The Donegal Hospice Day care services commenced in the Summer of 2003, is offered to hospice patients who are well enough to remain at home with the aim to promote and maintain the best possible quality of life for patients with cancer and certain other conditions within their own home e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease.

Quality Service
“The Donegal Hospice facility in Knocknamona is now well established as a high quality service for people in Co. Donegal who require palliative and terminal care. The large crowd who attended the commemorative service in early December is testament to the gratitude and pride the families and friends of service users have in the Hospice. I would like to compliment the multi-disciplinary team of medical, nursing and support staff for their commitment and professionalism to the people under their care”

“The hospice is part-funded by voluntary contributions and the community can be justifiably proud of their efforts to sustain the Hospice as it is a service that is owned by the people for the people” Paddy Rooney, Chairman of the Joint Partnership Board.

Running Costs
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the day-to-day running of the hospice, and the hospice support movement works in partnership with the HSE. The support group, Donegal Hospice Ltd, is responsible for providing up to 20% of the annual running cost of the facility and this is a challenge every year. It amounts to €500,000.