Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation announces three-year partnership with O’Hara’s of Foxford

The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has announced a new three-year partnership with O’Hara’s of Foxford, the family-owned bakery.

O’Hara’s of Foxford celebrates 75 years in operation this year, alongside the first anniversary of its Bakery 51 Café in Ballina.

As part of this collaboration, O’Hara’s of Foxford will directly support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation’s recently announced Sunflower Children’s Hospice.

The partnership will see the following: O’Hara’s will feature the Sunflower Hospice logo on its best-selling product, O’Hara’s Premium White Sliced Bread. Each loaf will also include a QR code that enables customers to donate directly to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice. Products will be available in shops across Connaught, as well as all shops selling O’Hara’s sliced white pan globally; Bakery 51 by O’Hara’s of Foxford will hold four coffee mornings throughout the year in the Ballina café, with donations going to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.

The Sunflower Children’s Hospice, funded by Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, will provide essential care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the western seaboard. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first children's hospice to be built outside of Dublin.

With an overall project estimated cost of between €12 million and €14 million, the foundation has launched a campaign to raise €7 million over the next year to ensure construction can commence in 2026. The in-patient and respite facility is expected to be completed in approximately two years. A site has already been secured in Castlebar, with the Government and HSE committed to supporting clinical governance.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said:

“I want to congratulate O’Hara’s of Foxford on their 75 years in business and thank them sincerely for this partnership. We are delighted to work with O’Hara’s of Foxford over the next three years as they support our fundraising efforts for The Sunflower Children’s Hospice. Their generosity and strong community spirit will have a tangible impact on the care we provide across the western seaboard.

There are many families with children and young people with life limiting illnesses in the west of Ireland who require paediatric palliative care services. To meet this critical need, we must raise €7 million over the next year to build Sunflower Children’s Hospice. We have done it before for Mayo and Roscommon Hospices, and I know we can do it again with the continued support of our communities.

This partnership truly reflects O’Hara’s generosity and belief in supporting local people. They have gone above and beyond for us, and I cannot thank them enough.”

Julia O’Hara of O’Hara’s of Foxford, the number one bread brand in Connaught, said:

“O’Hara’s are honoured to team up with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation on this incredibly meaningful initiative. The Sunflower Children’s Hospice will be a lifeline for families facing unimaginable challenges, and O’Hara’s are committed to helping bring this vital service to the west of Ireland.

We’re a family business and family means everything to us. What they do for families is just amazing. It was the right thing to do. It was just the right fit, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation continues to deliver exceptional palliative care services in the region, relying heavily on community support.

The new partnership reflects O’Hara’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the people and families who have supported the bakery for generations.”

For over 30 years, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has been dedicated to providing palliative care services to people with life limiting illnesses and their families in County Mayo and County Roscommon. The Palliative Care Teams have supported more than 25,000 patients and their families to date.

Both Mayo Hospice and Roscommon Hospice were developed and paid for by fundraised income (a combined €15.3 million) and are a result of the great support received from the people of Mayo and Roscommon.

To make a donation, visit here.