Centre has wide range of supports
In 2018 I was approached by board members at the Hope Centre and asked to join the Board of Directors. After 40 years experience working in the public service I was delighted to offer some of that experience to the Board in a voluntary capacity.
Why did I become involved with the Hope Centre? Quite simply it was a very easy decision for me to make. On my first visit to the centre in August 2018 to meet board members I was taken aback by the calm, friendly and homely atmosphere within the building. Prior to that visit I had little idea of the extent of support and range of services available to clients through the Hope centre, including assessment and support, counselling, therapies, transport service to hospitals, family and child support service, massage, lymphoedema therapies and peer support groups.
These invaluable services are only made possible by the generous financial support of communities across County Wexford and beyond. While we do receive welcome grants from the HSE, TUSLA and the Irish Cancer Society, these annual grants only amount to 20% of the total figure needed to keep the Hope Centre door open. The reality is, in order to maintain our current services to clients it costs over €480,000 per year of which €80,000 is received from the three grants outlined above. The remaining €400,000 or 80% of our income, we receive through fundraising, our charity shop sales and donations.
While the ‘Hope and Dream 10’ and ‘Dip in the Nip’ are two of our biggest annual fundraising events the local communities and business sector consistently support us through donations, coffee mornings, cycles, walks and many other events which are very much appreciated by us all in the Hope Centre.
As part of my role with the centre I chair monthly meetings of the Board of Directors. Our key purpose is to ensure the Hope centre’s continued prosperity by directing it’s day to day affairs. We are a registered charity and as such the board ensures the centre complies with all the regulations set down by the charity regulator. This is key to maintaining public thrust and confidence in the management and administration of the centre and also to ensure we operate as effectively and efficiently as possible and crucially, that all monies raised is spent for the benefit of our clients.
The ‘Hope and Dream 10’ run in April this year will be my 6th time taking part. I can still manage the 10K. It is an event we all look forward to each year. The atmosphere generated in Enniscorthy not just on the Sunday of the run, but over the weekend is second to none. If you have’nt taken part in previous runs, think about ‘giving it a go’ this year. It’s a fun day with great support from those taking part and spectators alike, whether you race, run, jog or walk the course I guarantee you will enjoy the experience and the money you raise will go towards a cause that has affected nearly every family in
County Wexford.
I look forward to welcoming you to
Enniscorthy on April 5th,
I thank you most sincerely for your support and finally the best of luck in your preparations/ training for the run.