Patricia Crawley looks forward to mid-September every year.
For the last two decades, the Co Armagh woman has been hosting an annual Coffee Morning in aid of Southern Area Hospice.
The Hospice’s annual event – which invites individuals, groups or businesses to host a coffee morning – is a vital fundraiser for the organisation and last year’s campaign raised almost £40,000 across the Southern Trust area.
But for Patricia, hosting a coffee morning each year is more than just about raising money for what she described as a “fantastic cause”.
It’s a chance to meet up with friends and neighbours, enjoy some tasty treats, and have a bit of good old-fashioned craic!
“It’s always a great event and I look forward to it every year,” said 83-year-old Patricia.
“It’s all about raising funds for a such a vital service as the Hospice, but it’s also great to catch up with people again.”
Recalling how she first began hosting an annual coffee morning for Hospice, Patricia, from Lislea, said: “My late husband Dinny and I were at a wedding and we got home late and I was flicking through the local newspaper.
“I saw lots of people were doing coffee mornings to raise money for the hospice. I thought ‘I could do that’ and I got in contact with the hospice and told them I was interested in doing it. I started from there and I have been doing it since.”
Over 20 years later, Patricia is still hosting her annual coffee morning – and loves it.
“The first two I hosted were in my house, but the numbers started growing and we had to move it to the Lislea Community Centre and it has been going great since. We always have a really enjoyable evening – everyone enjoys it!
“We have people baking wheaten bread and treacle bread, there’s tea and coffee, buns, tarts, sandwiches…but the best thing about it is that it’s a great bit of craic and an opportunity to meet up with and chat with friends and neighbours. I love it.”
This year Southern Area Hospice’s Coffee Morning takes place on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Individuals can host a coffee morning on an alternative date if 19 September 19 is not suitable for them.
Encouraging people to pop the kettle on and take part, Patricia added: “It’s a fantastic way to make money for the Hospice and a great social event at the same time. It’s for a very worthwhile cause and is always a great evening.”
You can hold your event anywhere, at home with friends and family, at work, at school or in a local community venue. Just ask those attending to donate in return for tea, coffee, drinks and cake.
Simply get in contact with the Hospice and receive a fundraising pack with all the information needed.
Speaking on behalf of the Hospice, Nurse Jenny Brown said: “The money raised from your coffee morning goes directly to support our work, we turn the donations you make into the care we provide to our patients and their families, and this makes a difference every single day, so please register now and be a ‘Host for Hospice this year.”
For more information or to register you can message us on social media, phone us on (028) 3026 7711 or email hylandb@southernareahospiceservices.org and remember – this year every cup counts for Hospice!
CLANRYE NEWS 