CUH Charity thanks people of Cork

Cork Rebel Week’s Visa Day raised an incredible €52,000 for the Children’s Unit of Cork University Hospital. On the 16^th of October during Cork’s very own Independence Day, hundreds of volunteers from across the county set up “Visa Checkpoints,” selling a €2 “Visa” for Cork, with all proceeds benefiting the CUH Charity’s Children’s Unit Appeal.

The volunteers came from all walks of life for this day long fundraiser— college students, nurses, doctors, transition year students, members of the public and even the Irish Navy—and manned checkpoints located throughout Cork city and county, including Cork Airport, Cork’s train stations, and the county’s toll booths.

Professor Michael Molloy, Chairman of the CUH Charity, extends his gratitude to all those who helped raise the much-needed funds and said: “The fundraiser took place only one day after the budget, and yet people across the county gave so generously to the CUH Children’s Unit. I would like to sincerely thank all of those involved for helping to make the Visa initiative a resounding success.”

All funds raised from the sale of the Cork Visa are being used to update the cramped facilities of the Children’s Unit in CUH with 20 reclining chairs for parents already purchased to ensure a more comfortable night’s sleep with their children.

Dr David Mullane, Consultant Paediatrician in the Children’s Unit at CUH, added: “We haven’t reached our target yet to completely refurbish the Children’s Unit but events such as the Cork Rebel Week partnership go a long way to achieving that goal.  We ask that people keep us in mind for any upcoming events or fundraising initiatives they may be involved in and help make sure our children get the facilities they deserve. ”

Necessary refurbishment works include the provision of bathing, baby changing and breastfeeding facilities, isolation facilities, a high-dependency unit, a counselling room, palliative care facilities, en-suite rooms and a sensory area for children with special needs.

The Visa initiative was part of  Cork Rebel Week, a week-long line up of festivities celebrating “all things Cork,” which took place from October 14^th– 20^th 2013, and spanned the whole of Cork County.

For more information please visit: www.cuhcharity.ie.