Legendary actor Brendan Gleeson is encouraging people in Drogheda and East Meath to get behind a €2.4million national fundraising drive for 24 Hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers that make up Together For Hospice, The National Hospice Movement.

This year’s event takes place on September 26 – but supporters can host or attend one on a date that suits them, with every cent raised locally going to their local Hospice.

Both of Gleeson’s parents spent their final days in St Francis Hospice in Dublin, which is set to begin work on a new 24 single-room in-patient unit, at a cost of €29 million.

“I’m aware that I’m in the final chapters but you’re just trying to keep the creaky bits moving as well as possible,” said the Oscar-nominated actor as he officially launched the fundraiser on Wednesday (Aug21) in Bewley’s Café, Dublin.

“A great quote shared with me years ago was ‘good health is a golden crown which only those who are ill can see’, so the person who is sick is seeing how glorious it is.

“I try to keep an eye on the crown and as long as I’m motoring around alright, I appreciate life.”

Gleeson said there is a huge need for developments like those at St Francis Hospice, which will give families added privacy in their loved ones’ final days.

His father Francis spent his time there in a four-bed room, which made those moments a bit more difficult.

“The conversation was a little inhibited; you are in hearing distance of others, trying not to earwig, and at the same time attempting an intimate conversation with your loved one in quite a loud voice!

“Because patients are at that stage, you have to speak fairly loudly. Single rooms make it so much easier.

“I am asking everyone in East Meath and Drogheda on September 26, or whenever suits them, to organise, support or donate to a coffee morning, wherever it might be held.”

Mena Ball, PRO of East Meath Hospice Association, said: “We are delighted Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of Together For Hospice’s longest and most loved fundraisers, is now in its 32nd year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services across Ireland.

“It is a chance to celebrate our coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities. This ongoing, unwavering support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, enhancing care for patients living with life-limiting illness.

“This year’s fundraiser coincides with a new set of work within the area, as planning permission has recently been granted for Newgrange Hospice in Drogheda, and we look forward to welcoming this new service to the community.”

Jason Doyle, Managing Director at Bewley’s Ireland, said the company was immensely proud to again support the event, now in it’s 32nd year making it the country’s most successful and longest charity partnerships.

“We encourage everyone to host a coffee morning to help support the incredible, and often unseen, work that hospices nationwide carry out every day.

Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 26 – or on a date that suits you – at www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie  or call 0818 995 996.

If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can make a donation at www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate