25 November 2024
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
On Thursday, 21 November 2024, The Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) awarded donations to twenty-
eight Irish charities during a special reception at University College Cork (UCC). The event, held in the
Aula Maxima and attended by Cllr. Terry Coleman, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork, saw over
€131,000 donated to charities supporting health and wellbeing across Ireland.
Trustees, Grant Making committee members and staff of the Hospital Saturday Fund with representatives from the charities who received Grant Cheques at the reception. Included is Cllr. Terry Coleman, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork and Cal Healy, UCC.
At a reception at the Aula Maxima in UCC, the Hospital Saturday Fund presented cheques to 28 charities to a value of €130,000.. The cheques were presented jointly by Cllr. Terry Coleman, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork and Lesley Garrett, Patron of the Hospital Saturday Fund and John Greenwood, Chairman of the HSF.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Among this year’s beneficiaries are:
Cork Stroke Support, receiving funds for its Living Well After a Stroke project.
The Lantern Community Project, will use its grant for occupational therapy equipment.
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, which will put the grant toward essential equipment upgrades.
Rainbow Club Cork, supporting their Art Therapy Programme.
Bantry Hospice, to help achieve 24-hour palliative care.
CUH Charity, contributing toward the expansion of children’s services.
Additionally, a medical elective grant was awarded to University College Cork to support
undergraduate medical electives at its School of Medicine.
Lesley Garrett, Patron of The Hospital Saturday Fund, paid tribute to all the charities attending and
extended her appreciation for their invaluable contributions, wishing them continued success in their
important work.
Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive of The Hospital Saturday Fund, stated, “We are thrilled to uphold
our tradition of supporting a diverse range of charities across Ireland, particularly those that may not
be as widely recognised. The Hospital Saturday Fund is proud to contribute to the remarkable and
tireless efforts of these organisations, which have a profound impact on people’s lives. In the past 12
months, HSF has donated a total of €2.25 million to over 900 charities in Ireland, the UK, and Malta.
This evening, we are especially pleased to have contributed over €131,000 to deserving charities in
Munster.
The reception also marked HSF Health Plan’s 75th anniversary in Ireland. Mr Jackson highlighted this
milestone, by saying “Since 1949, we have proudly supported families and individuals in Ireland with
their everyday medical costs. Our wide range of benefits provides excellent value for money,
whether used alongside Private Medical Insurance or as a standalone product. All of our profits go to
The Hospital Saturday Fund, which then supports medical charities, hospitals, and hospices. This
means everyone who takes out a policy with us is helping to make a meaningful difference in their
local community.”
Looking ahead, The Hospital Saturday Fund plans to donate €2.5 million in 2025 to medical charities
across Ireland, the UK, and Malta, supporting care, research, and hospices. Assistance will also be
provided to individuals facing financial hardship due to illness or disability.
Trustees, Grant Making committee members and staff of the Hospital Saturday Fund with representatives from the charities who received Grant Cheques at the reception. Included is Cllr. Terry Coleman, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork and Cal Healy, UCC.
At a reception at the Aula Maxima in UCC, the Hospital Saturday Fund presented cheques to 28 charities to a value of €130,000.. The cheques were presented jointly by Cllr. Terry Coleman, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork and Lesley Garrett, Patron of the Hospital Saturday Fund and John Greenwood, Chairman of the HSF.
Pic: Brian Lougheed