The ‘Friends’ contribute to a Sensory Room at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital made a donation towards the new Sensory Room in the Paediatric Ward at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital donated €580, along with an additional €100 from committee member Ger Egan.

Susy Snell, Clinical Nurse Manager in the Paediatric Ward said: “This money is greatly appreciated and will go towards getting sensory toys/equipment which will aid in making a visit to the hospital a much less stressful experience for so many of our patients.”

Tom Timmons, Chairperson of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital said: “We are delighted to be able to support a much-needed space within our hospital, it will be a fantastic addition to the Paediatric Ward and the children who attend the hospital.

“We are organising a Friends Get Festive Christmas Jumper Day and are hoping that the Laois schools will get on board and back us.

“Up until Covid19, our annual Christmas draw was our main source of income. As you can imagine, the lack of our annual draw has had a big impact on us.

“Therefore, this year we are holding a Christmas Jumper Day throughout all the schools in County Laois.

“We are kindly asking for Laois school’s participation on December 15 for a Christmas Jumper Day.

“If you would like to participate, we ask school staff to contact us at friendsofportloaisehospital@yahoo.com.

“We would appreciate it if each student were to bring in a small donation and wear a Christmas jumper to school.

“We understand that Christmas can be an expensive time, therefore we do not want any school or student to feel like they have to participate.

“However, your school’s participation would greatly help our charity raise much-needed funds.”

Friends of Portlaoise Hospital is a local charity dedicated to raising funds to enhance patients’ comfort.

The “Friends” is a small voluntary committee established in April 1991 with the main aim being to improve patient comfort in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.

They do this by providing the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise with much-needed supplies and medical equipment. They rely solely on fundraising and donations.