Mayo community comes out in force for Sunflower Children's Hospice
The Mall in Castlebar came alive as hundreds of families, friends, and neighbours turned out for the Sunflower Children's Hospice Family Fun Day, a vibrant community celebration in support of the new children's hospice being developed by Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
The free family event transformed the heart of Castlebar into a festival of colour and community spirit, with live entertainment, food trucks, an exotic zoo, a dog show, vintage car displays, a mega games van, and a dunk tank drawing crowds throughout the afternoon.
The entertainment programme got underway with Shake Rattle & Ceol, an interactive music session that had children and parents singing, dancing, and laughing together.
Then Ciaran & Lisa took to the stage, delivering a lively mix of live music that kept the crowds on their feet right through to the close of the afternoon.
Martina Jennings, CEO, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation said: "It was wonderful to see so many people come together today, all in support of the Sunflower Children's Hospice.
"Events like this remind us that this hospice isn't just a building project; it is a community coming together to say that children and families in the west of Ireland deserve specialist care close to home.
"We are so grateful to everyone who came out today, and to the entire Pamex team, whose energy, generosity, and dedication throughout the Linking Little Lives campaign has been extraordinary."
Tom Murphy of Pamex Ltd, said: "Walking into Castlebar after 36 hours on the road was a moment none of us will forget.
"One of the highlights was seeing this town show up the way it did, families, children, neighbours, all there together for the Sunflower Children's Hospice.
"That's what Linking Little Lives has always been about. We set out to raise funds and awareness, but what we've gained is a real sense of what this hospice will mean to people across the west of Ireland. We couldn't be prouder of what the team has achieved."
The Family Fun Day marked the finish line for Pamex Ltd's 'Linking Little Lives' relay walk, in which a team of Pamex employees completed a 225km relay from Dublin to Castlebar over 36 hours, arriving in Castlebar last Thursday evening.
The campaign has raised more than €16,000 to date in support of the Sunflower Children's Hospice, with donations still being accepted at idonate.ie/donate/fundraiser/linkinglittlelives.
Every contribution goes directly towards the development of the Sunflower Children's Hospice, an eight-bed facility that will provide specialist palliative and respite care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, and emotional, practical, and bereavement support for their families across the West of Ireland.
The hospice will include family accommodation, hydrotherapy baths, sensory and play therapy rooms, and garden access from every room, staffed by a multidisciplinary team delivering round-the-clock care.
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