Ahead of this Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final Cork captain Pa Cronin has challenged all Rebels to get behind Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity to help Munster’s sick children on Cork Independence Day, 16^th October 2013, as part of the Cork Rebel Week celebrations.

To coincide with his announcement as patron of CUH Charity, Pa Cronin is calling for 300 volunteers to show their support and help man 50 Visa checkpoints around the city and county to raise money for the Children’s Unit of Cork University Hospital.

October 16^th is to CUH Charity what the All-Ireland hurling final is to Pa Cronin – a chance for the people of Cork to show their true colours.

“I’ve given up my time for CUH Charity, will you? We desperately need 300 people to dedicate a little time on October 16th to sell the Cork Visa to make a real and meaningful difference to the young patients of CUH.

“I’m honoured to captain the Cork team at Croker this week and I’m equally proud to champion the cause for Cork Independence Day as patron of CUH Charity.

“I’m urging all those who can to sign up to join me to volunteer for what will be an exciting, all-inclusive day for the people of Munster.”

As part of a mammoth logistical mission entry to the ‘real capital’ will be controlled in the spirit of fun and giving to promote the purchase of the Cork Visa for just €2 with 100% of the proceeds going towards the refurbishment of the outdated CUH Children’s Unit.

By supporting Independence Day, volunteers and all those who purchase the Cork Visa will be help to improve the conditions and facilities for the thousands of sick children who attend CUH each year.

CUH Charity is the official partner for Cork Rebel Week, 2013 – the county’s flagship Gathering event which takes place from October 14^th to 20^th.

For the first time ever the children and staff of the Children’s Unit of CUH are asking for
your help to improve the facilities in the Unit. The unit was built in 1978 and is in major need of updating; so funds raised through the sale of the Cork Visa will be used to transform the unit which sees almost 10,000 children admitted annually.

All funds raised from the sale of the Cork Visa on Independence Day will be used to update the cramped and outdated facilities of the Children’s Unit in CUH which hasn’t had any major
refurbishment since it was built 35 years ago.

Necessary refurbishment works include the provision of bathing and breastfeeding facilities, sleeping facilities for parents in the Ladybird Ward, which caters for children under 18 months old; while the Puffin Ward urgently needs isolation facilities, a high-dependency unit, en-suite rooms and sleeping facilities for parents.

As well as these specific ward needs, funds will go towards other basic requirements such as more toilets, baby changing facilities, a counselling room, palliative care facilities and a
sensory area for children with special needs.

Volunteers who can sign-up to dedicate any time to the sale of the Cork Visa on October 16th as part of CUH Charity’s Independence Day are asked to visit www.cuhcharity.ie or call 021 4234529 for more information.