Rev. Matthew Hagan (Annual Hospice Sunday Appeal Co-ordinator) presenting a cheque for £16,962.00
to Siobhan McArdle (Fund-raising manager, Southern Area Hospice, Newry).
The Annual Hospice Sunday Appeal in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Armagh has been taking place since it began in 2014. The initiative was the concept of the Rev. Matthew Hagan, Rector of Tynan, Aghavilly and Middletown Group of Parishes in Co. Armagh and to date the appeal has raised over £200,000 for Hospice care.
Amazingly in 2021, during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic when Church of Ireland Churches were closed for periods of time the magnificent amount of £21,670.00 was contributed to the 2021 Annual Hospice Sunday Appeal in the Diocese of Armagh by many of the parishes. £19,973.00 including Gift Aid was donated to the Southern Area Hospice, Newry; £932.00 was donated to Foyle Hospice, Londonderry and £765.00 was donated to NI Hospice, Belfast.
Rev. Hagan who co-ordinates the appeal each year stated “ It is very encouraging the amount of genuine support the hospice appeal is given each year especially during this time of the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. I am truly grateful that in 2021 over £20,000.00 has been donated and distributed to each parish’s local hospice. I very sincerely wish to thank the Rector, Select Vestry and the parishioners of each parish who made contributions - your support for hospice care is very much needed in these very volatile times in healthcare settings.
Please continue to support the appeal and thank you.”
£1015.00 was also donated to the Palliative Care Unit at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex.