Saw Doctors and children’s hospice join forces for special Mayo gig fundraiser
THE Saw Doctors and Sunflower Children’s Hospice have joined forces for a special fundraising initiative at the band’s sold-out Castlebar gigs this weekend, with 750 limited-edition t-shirts being made available to fans.
The specially designed Saw Doctors t-shirts will be available for €25 at the band’s two shows at the TF Royal, Castlebar, this Friday and Saturday, September 4 and 5, with all proceeds going towards the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
The front of the t-shirt features Declan Colohan’s photo of The Saw Doctors performing their iconic ‘Green and Red of Mayo’, with the back print featuring the lyrics of the first verse of the song, courtesy of writers Leo Moran, Davy Carton and Jarír Al-Majar.
The fundraising initiative comes as plans progress for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar, which will provide essential care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across eight counties on the western seaboard.
Funded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the project will be the first children’s hospice to be built outside Dublin and the first of its kind to be constructed in Ireland since 2011.
A site has already been secured in Castlebar, with the government and HSE committed to supporting clinical governance. Construction will begin later this year.
Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors said: “The Saw Doctors are over the moon to have been a part of the soundtrack to Mayo’s momentous All-Ireland win and we’re looking forward big time to celebrating with the Mayo people in Castlebar. The special event t-shirt with all sales going to Sunflower Children’s Hospice will be a lovely bonus for the occasion.”
Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “The support of Pat Jennings from the TF Royal Theatre and The Saw Doctors is hugely appreciated. To have such an iconic band using the excitement and pride surrounding the green and red to raise funds for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice is incredibly special.
“The Sunflower Children’s Hospice will provide vital care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the west of Ireland, and we have wonderful support in our communities, corporates and individuals who are working hard to make this much-needed facility in Castlebar a reality.
“Every euro raised brings us one step closer to opening the doors of the new hospice and providing families with the specialist care and support they need, close to home.”