10 August 2017

Over the coming weeks, staff at the Mercy Hospital Foundation will contact hundreds of households across Cork City and County asking them to support the charity’s Annual Raffle, which this year will raise funds to upgrade the Mercy University Hospital to make it more dementia-friendly.

People with dementia do not always find adjustment easy, particularly when in hospital with an illness. Through the Annual Raffle and support from donors, The Mercy Hospital Foundation aims to help all patients feel safe and confident when they stay in the Hospital.

The biggest change, thanks to funds raised, will be improved signage so patients can find their way around easily. The Mercy Hospital Foundation’s plan is for welcoming wall colours along with clear signs to orientate and direct patients and visitors. Much better lighting will also be installed at the end of dark corridors. The money raised will transform bland areas with clear bright colours and directions so patients feel less disorientated and afraid.

Speaking about the upgrades, Aine Harty RGN Staff Nurse at the Mercy University Hospital said “For people suffering from dementia, they can forget where they are and why they are in hospital. Disorientation and bewilderment are a common experience for people with dementia and it can be very distressing and frightening. Everything around them is so different and unfamiliar, causing them to feel quite confused and scared. By selling or buying raffle tickets you are making a real and meaningful difference to our elderly patients by helping to create an environment that ensures they feel comfortable and happy during their time at The Mercy.”

Tickets for the annual raffle are €3 each or two for €5, with great prizes to be won when the draw takes place on Friday, October 27th. First prize is €2,000 cash, and second is €500. As an added incentive, for every book of tickets sold, the seller will get a free complimentary ticket to enter the draw themselves.

Julie Harris, Head of Fundraising and Communications at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “On behalf of all of us at The Mercy, I’d like to thank those who choose to support our Annual Raffle – thank you for your time, energy and most importantly, your support. Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors.”

If you would like to buy or sell tickets on behalf of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, or have any queries relating to the 2017 Annual Raffle, please call the Raffle Hotline on (021) 4274076, log on to  www.mercyfundraising.ie  or email info@mercyfundraising.ie.