HSSCU Sponsorships
At HSSCU, we are passionate about helping our members and our community. While we provide the best service to members, we’re aware that there is a lot more happening in our community. With that in mind, HSSCU is proud to support our members by sponsoring our community. We sponsor charities requested by members, charities who contact us directly and charities we identify that are doing great work. This year, some of our key sponsorship partners have written testimonials on their experience with HSSCU’s sponsorships. Here, they tell us about the amazing work they do and how HSSCU has helped along the way. This week, we are delighted to talk to Amanda from Blanchardstown Hospital Society who tells us about her personal connection to the charity.
Blanchardstown Hospital Society
Blanchardstown Hospital Society is the official fundraising body for Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. It was established as a Limited Company with Charitable Status in September 1997. Our aim is to enhance patient services and promote exceptional patient care. We will do this by encouraging active involvement of staff, community and the corporate sector in Connolly Hospital’s service. The Society Board consists of internal and external professionals committed to directing, organising and implementing fundraising efforts of the Society.
Why I Joined BHS
My Dad was 69 years old and a patient at Connolly Hospital. He suffered a stroke and sadly, after 3 weeks he passed away. My family and I became involved with Blanchardstown Hospital Society, as we wanted to do something positive and took to fundraising.
We hoped to purchase some electric beds for the Stroke Unit at Connolly Hospital as we had experienced the difference this made to patients. It enables them to have some independence during their recovery process. With the help of family, friends and local businesses we bag-packed and held a Prize Draw. This should have culminated in a benefit night to celebrate my Dad’s life during St. Patricks weekend. Unfortunately, this had to be postponed due to COVID restrictions. Instead, we held the Prize Draw live on Facebook at the end of June. Exceeding our expectations, we managed to raise enough money to purchase 3 electric beds and a wheelchair in honour of my Dad. We know this will greatly benefit future Stroke patients. I have since joined the Blanchardstown Hospital Society team as Fundraising Coordinator.
BHS Thank Our Fundraisers
Blanchardstown Hospital Society is extremely grateful to the many individuals, families, community groups and Corporate bodies who have fundraised, made donations and supported us over the past 23 years. You have all made a difference in developing and enhancing our services. Over the years, many departments have benefitted from the fundraising endeavours. This has enabled projects such as the family room at ICU to be developed. Here, equipment, hospital beds, TVs and sofas for patient areas were supplied to Connolly Hospital. Over the past few months our Healthcare Service has been highlighted and brought to the fore. We appreciate and applaud their trojan work and we are also involved in improving staff services at Connolly Hospital.
One of our great supporters is the Health Services Staff Credit Union. They have been instrumental in assisting us to develop an Art Gallery ‘The Stairwell Gallery’ in Connolly Hospital. This benefits staff, patients, families and visitors to our hospital. Thanks to the HSSCU who provided donations, which allowed us to purchase specialised rails. Due to this, we were able to hang the beautiful artwork created by the talented Connolly Collective. We can all enjoy the range of colours and materials to brighten our days both in the hospital corridors and in the Stairwell Gallery.
The Connolly Collective
The Connolly Collective was formed in 2015 to make and exhibit work in response to the 60th birthday of Connolly Hospital in 2016. This work was then given to the hospital on permanent loan. The group consists of artists who are staff members and professional artists with a connection to the hospital. They believe the arts contribute to the wellbeing and vitality of society and that engaging with the arts stimulates our sense of identity and creativity.
The Comfort Box
Another of our projects which was partially sponsored by HSSCU is our Comfort Box initiative. Again, we are so thankful for your involvement. The Comfort Box is an initiative supported by the Blanchardstown Hospital Society, to assist grieving families during such a tough time.
The difficulty faced by those who could not be with their loved ones at the end of life, due to the restrictions placed on visiting due to COVID was felt widely throughout Connolly Hospital. Led by Laura Stynes, a multi-disciplinary team was established to come together with ideas to bring comfort to grieving families. The picture shows a candle, poem, photo frame and forget me not flower seeds that will be shared with bereaved families. This is a gesture of our condolence during such a difficult time, in particular over the past 6 months. These are presented in the gift box, which can be kept as a memory box to treasure souvenirs from their loved ones. We hope this might bring some small consolation in a time of such great sadness.
Follow Our Charity
We want to spread the word about our wonderful charity and hope you can help us with this.
Follow us on Facebook: Blanchardstown Hospital Society Twitter: @hospitalsociety
Tel: 086 0599114 or (01) 6465651 Email: blanchardstownhospitalsociety@gmail.com
Would You Like to Apply?
To apply for a HSSCU sponsorship, simply visit our sponsorship webpage and download our application form. We are very excited to continue our commitment of supporting our community.
Stay in touch with everything HSSCU by following us on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Team HSSCU
