Write a commentThis Christmas Southern Area Hospice Services reach a milestone as they celebrate 30 years of Hospice Care.
Over six days we will tell the story of local people who have used the service throughout those 30 years.
Since 1989 the Hospice…Your Hospice… has cared for thousands of patients and their families living across the Southern Trust Area, providing specialist Palliative Care to those with life limiting conditions.
Conor’s Story
My fundraising and running career really happened by accident. Initially I agreed to take part in a relay team running Belfast marathon and so my training began. My initial fears in my inability were highlighted by my insistence on running the shortest leg. Fears that were however short lived as by the time the marathon date arrived, I wanted to run most of the legs myself. I decided there and then to continue training and increase my mileage with a focus of Dublin marathon that October as a goal. The year was 2009.
My family supported my efforts and my mother in particular suggested I raise money for the Hospice through sponsorship. In that moment my relationship with the hospice began. A rather inauspicious start to my fundraising for the hospice has developed into quite a personal journey.
Buoyed by the great family support of both my parents, both my siblings, my wife, three children and extended family I decided in earnest to fundraise for the hospice. Personally, I wanted to see a little of the world whilst doing this so my next destination was Florence, Italy in November 2011.
Working in Armagh as a community pharmacist the fundraising was made easier by placing a sponsor form on the counter and the explosion of social media at that time allowed me to reach sponsors from outside the local area. Through the goodwill of the Armagh people and those in cyberspace I used this method repeatedly with great success.
It wasn’t until I gained a place for London marathon 2017 through the Hospice that fundraising took on a more personal meaning…
My father Fergie, a Fermanagh native who arrived and settled in Keady in 1960 was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. He worked as an agricultural adviser for the Department of Agriculture based initially in Keady and then in Newtownhamilton in the 80’s where he established himself as a well-known character amongst the farming community.
Like any other family who has lost someone to cancer we were devastated by the news. As a local family we had had previous knowledge of the good work provided by the Hospice having lost friends to cancer who spent their final days there. Harrowing as it was to watch your father slowly succumb to this most vicious of diseases, I, at least personally drew comfort from my knowledge of the manner in which the staff provided my father with dignity and comfort in his final days. Fergie passed away on February 15th, 2017.
I remember never being as unprepared to run a marathon as I was 2 months later in London but by hook, crook or downright stubbornness I finished, and managed to raise in excess of £5.5k for the hospice.
As I reflect on the times I’ve fundraised for the hospice through marathon running I have a different understanding of how that money benefits the patients and their families. Personally, it’s taught me humility and given me a reason to continue to fundraise. The Hospice is a vital part of our community and it’s purpose should never be underestimated. I’m glad to have helped provide for the Hospice. It certainly has provided for my family. Long may it continue.
Conor O’Reilly
Light Up A Life
Southern Area Hospice invite you to remember your loved one this Christmas as they celebrate 30 years of Hospice Care… your light will shine down from their tree throughout the Christmas period.
To dedicate a Light to a Loved one this Christmas please visit
WWW.SOUTHERNAREAHOSPICESERVICES.ORG Or text LIGHTS to 70660 to donate £10.
By remembering your loved one’s this Christmas you will be helping the Hospice to care for someone else’s, as they look toward their next 30 years.
