Christine’s A Hospice Hero As Sunflower Days Bloom

Christine McCann with Allison Ryder and Miriam O’Callaghan

atest press release from Our Lady’s Hospice Wicklow, issued on Thursday, May 7th 2026…

Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Wicklow was delighted to honour Newtown’s Christine McCann as its 2026 Hospice Hero for her many years of fundraising service on behalf of the organisation.

Christine received the award from Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, Miriam O’Callaghan, at a special ceremony in St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 to coincide with the Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign launch.

Christine, along with 12 others from all across the country, was honoured with the title of Hospice Hero as she has been a passionate and dedicated supporter of Wicklow Hospice since before the doors were even opened. Her commitment and support throughout the years has been unwavering – she has run mini-marathons and given her time so generously to manage collections stands, playing a key role in raising thousands of euros for the hospice.

In addition, Christine also supports the Hospice Sunflower Days campaign annually, where she not only volunteers her time but she also helps to organise and coordinate volunteers in her local area. Her continued enthusiasm and generosity make a real difference to Wicklow Hospice and the community it serves.

This year marks the 36th year of the Hospice Sunflower Days campaign with the on-street collections taking place from Thursday, June 11th 2026 to Saturday 13th 2026. Volunteers will take to villages, cities and towns all across the country to help raise vital funds for hospice & palliative care services and every euro raised locally, stays locally!

You can also show your support by donating to your chosen hospice online via the website here.

Speaking at the official Hospice Hero ceremony, Miriam O’Callaghan, said, “I am delighted to get involved once again with Hospice Sunflower Days. This is a very worthy cause and with all funds raised locally staying in the local area, it really offers a great opportunity for people to make a difference for their local hospice or specialist palliative homecare service.”

Allison Ryder, Fundraising and Events Coordinator, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Wicklow, commented, “We are thrilled to be able to acknowledge Christine’s hard work and dedication to Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Wicklow by presenting her with our Hospice Hero Award here today. We are calling on everyone from the region to join Christine to help us to raise vital funds for the hospice during Hospice Sunflower Days 2026. Every little donated really does make a big difference!”

Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, represents 24 Hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers supporting patients and their families across Ireland. These services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, while also offering assistance to the patient’s family members.

Hospices nationwide need to raise approximately €20 million each year to provide their patient centred care and as our population ages, demand for specialist hospice and palliative homecare services continues to grow. Fundraised income is used by local hospice services to fund new buildings, refurbishment of existing buildings, staff, extra comforts for patients and their families, and innovative patient care projects nationwide. Funds raised through Together for Hospice campaigns support some of the core services funded by the HSE. That is why fundraisers such as Hospice Sunflower Days are so important to hospices and homecare services throughout the country.

If you would like to volunteer to help Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Wicklow with its on-street collections this June, please contact the fundraising team today on 014068868.

For more information on the Hospice Sunflower Days campaign or to make a donation today, just click here. You can find out more about the Wicklow crew here agus here.