Hopes to begin work on hospice early this year
THE building contract for the
Wicklow Hospice is due to be awarded soon and ground will be broken on the Magheramore facility once this is in place.
According to Evanne Cahill, chairperson of fundraising at the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, it is only through the tremendous generosity of the people of Wicklow and beyond that this landmark event will take place early this year.
‘The great generosity of many friends and supporters has enabled tremendous progress over recent months with our plans. Month after month, events have been organised and run by volunteers to harvest the great public support for the hospice.
‘In October, the first invitation issued to potential contractors to express interest and show their suitability. Qualified contractors have now been shortlisted and are being asked to tender. We will organise the turning of the sod as soon as contracts are signed,’ she said.
It is hoped that patients will be cared for at the site in two years’ time, bringing an end to a decade-long campaign.
‘Our target is to have the building and fit-out complete and patients cared for in Magheramore in 2019. This will be the outcome of ten years of sustained effort by many dedicated people,’ Evanne said.
‘Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point. We look forward to your continued support all the way to the opening of the hospice and, even more importantly, as we provide care in the new hospice from 2019 on.’