Browne: ‘Mission accomplished.’
AFTER 10 years and €4 million raised for Cystic Fibrosis facilities at Cork University Hospital (CUH), Build4Life founder Joe Browne has said the charity has achieved all its goals and so will no longer accept donations.
“In 2007 we set out on a journey and we weren’t entirely sure where it would bring us, or when we’d complete that journey,” Mr Brown said.
“I’m happy to say that due to the generosity of so many people and the hard work of so many volunteers we have managed to achieve our mission statement.”
BUILD4LIFE founder Joe Browne has this week said the charity – which since 2007 has raised funds for all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis care in Cork University Hospital (CUH) – will no longer accept donations, as he is satisfied it has completed its mission statement.
Founded 10 years ago, the voluntary registered charity has raised some €4million for dedicated facilities for adults and children attending CUH for treatment, and speaking to The Kerryman this week, Mr Browne said the charity has done all that it set out to do when it was founded.
“We knew we could not cure this terrible disease but we knew we could help bring the conditions in CUH in line with best international practice,” Mr Browne told The Kerryman.
“In 2007 we set out on a journey and we weren’t entirely sure where it would bring us, or when we’d complete that journey. I’m happy to say that due to the generosity of so many people and the hard work of so many volunteers we have managed to achieve our mission statement.”
“It’s not often you hear a charity say ‘please do not send any more money,’ but that is what we are saying this week. We have done what we had set out to do,” Mr Browne added. A proud Mr Browne took
The Kerryman through a list of the charity’s achievements, which includes the funding, equipment and opening of an adult outpatient clinic and an adult inpatient and general respiratory ward; and the funding and equipment of a children’s outpatient clinic, which is due to open in the years ahead.
“We have set aside our remaining funds for the children’s inpatient bedrooms in CUH, which we understand will take a further three years or so to complete,” Mr Browne explained.
“Over the last 10 years we have purchased further medical equipment costing some €200,000, and we have also secured two new staff members for the children’s Cystic Fibrosis department. Now, Build4Life and the HSE have provided the funding for over 70 per cent of the isolated inpatient and outpatient Cystic Fibrosis facilities in Ireland.
He described arriving at this week’s decision as ‘a relief’, explaining that its been a tough process raising funds over the past ten years, He did however add that he is delighted with what he called the charity’s immense achievements.
“I have to acknowledge the people of Kerry, the people of Munster, indeed anyone who has shown their generosity over these last ten years, because without them none of this would have been possible,” he said.
“There are so many groups and individuals that have helped, it would be impossible to list them all, but we are beyond grateful.
“It was through the late Mary Hand, who passed away due to Cystic Fibrosis over ten years ago, that I became fully aware of the need to fund-raise for facilities at CUH. Mary didn’t have the benefit of today’s facilities, but having drawn inspiration from her, this charity has made sure Cystic Fibrosis sufferers can attend CUH with greater confidence of getting better. The mental benefits that come from these facilities are right up there with the physical benefits.”
Mary’s mother, Betty Hand, was full of praise for Mr Browne and everyone who has assisted the charity in achieving its goals, and said her daughter would have been overjoyed had she been able to see the facilities available in CUH today.
“You have to thank all the people who donated to Build4Life or who helped in any way, but Joe has also received great support from a very strong family,” Ms Hand said.
“What the charity has achieved is nothing short of incredible. Build4Life has achieved everything it set out to achieve, but if you look at its full list of achievements, you’ll see it has gone beyond even what it set out in its mission statement.
“The support this charity has given so many families is incredible, and on behalf of my own family I’d like to thank Joe and Build4Life for everything that has been achieved over the last decade. Mary would be so happy if she could see what’s there now.”