Book marks 40 years of fundraising for community hospital in Cork town

A SOUVENIR book of memories and a history of the fundraising for Fermoy Community Hospital over the last 40 years has been published.

It was compiled by Sheena O’Brien and Eily Whelan, and edited by Sean Whelan.

“This book is a souvenir to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Fermoy Community Hospital Fund-raising committee, on October 13, 1983,” says Sheena, who worked as a nurse in the hospital.

It is a reflection on the monumental work organised by the group and its achievements across the four decades.

“It is a souvenir of memories, including photographs and newspaper articles which encapsulate the progress of the development of the hospital over the years from a workhouse to a district hospital and then a community hospital.

The book also captures the monumental work and achievements organised by the group across four decades, says Sheena.

It documents numerous articles dating back to 1840 about the previous workhouse in Fermoy. An article from the Irish Examiner dated September 7, 1857, provides an about the almost completed workhouse building.

“The book also contains historical records such as census records, medical directory entries, and employment opportunities,” says Sheena.

The idea of creating a fund- raising venture to benefit Fermoy Community Hospital was the brainchild of Tadhg O'Donovan.

“I thought that if I had the opportunity, I would try and get a focus on providing funding for the hospital as there were major shortcomings there,” says Tadhg. “After this, I set about organising a special meting to gather for the enterprise.

“The meeting took place in the Youth Centre.

My aim was to develop a strategy to acquire the of the public in assisting with the modernisation of Fermoy Hospital.

What was the hospital like at that time?

“Nowadays, it is beyond people’s apprehension to envisage the situation that staff and patients endured at that time,” says Tadhg.

“There was no menu choice, no lift so everything had to be carried up 3-4 flights of stairs, including the coal that was the fuel for the only heat source of the ward.

“The initial committee aims were to provide basic items to enhance the delivery of care.”

Had the Fermoy Hospital Fundraising committee big plans? “Big adventures, such as extensions, were not in our thoughts at the outset,” says Tadhg.

There were great successes achieved by the fundraising committee.

Sheena recalls: “In 1997, getting the go-ahead for the construction of the Cuisle ward after a quarter century of campaigning. Local man, Mr Tom Cavanagh made a substantial donation, which assisted with this effort.”

Mr Cavanagh had a special relationship with Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising Association over the years. When it came to causes of a local nature, the local businessman was never found wanting in helping those less fortunate in the community, by adopting the simple philosophy of providing to groups and individuals who displayed a willingness to themselves.

“Another success was the construction of the Dochas ward, which opened to patients in 2009,” says Sheena.

A decade ago, a sum in excess of €750,000 had been collected by the committee.

Care of the patients at Fermoy Community Hospital is paramount.

“Hospital management have constantly submitted requisitions to the committee for items to maximise the care of patients in the hospital,” says Sheena.

“All funds raised go directly to patient care. The committee have purchased specialised beds, hi-tech electric mattresses, a variety of hoists, specialised chairs and other equipment that improve the quality of life and enhance the comfort of patients as well as benefiting the entire population of the hospital.”

Driving the Fermoy Hospital fundraising efforts forward was Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley himself. He donated a Morris 1000 vintage motor car to the hospital committee.

The star’s caretaker made the call to the hospital.

“We are delighted at this wonderful for the final phase of the fundraising campaign towards establishing a further much-needed 50 unit in Fermoy Hospital,” said committee PRO John Keating at the time.

The car was in excellent condition and was up for auction. It was not Flatley’s first gesture of goodwill to the local hospital. He donated a platinum disc and sent flowers and fruit to the patients.

“He was always very kind,” says Tadgh.

Browsing through Fermoy Community Hospital Fund-raising, the collection of black and white photographs and later, coloured photographs catalogue the kind history of benefactors, local groups, local clubs and the general public’s efforts to their local hospital.

“Over the 40-year period, the amount of donations has been phenomenal,” says Tadhg.

“At the time of the 30th anniversary, a decade ago, a sum in excess of €750,000 had been collected by the committee. 

Little did the founding committee consider the possibility that the group would have continued to raise funds 40 years later.

The fundraising committee have done trojan work over four decades and the book is a testament to that.

“The fundraising committee are a coordinating committee,” says Sheena. “They depended on volunteers in all areas to come up with a variety of fundraising concepts throughout the years.

“The entire community of the hospital, known as the catchment area, stretched from southern Watergrasshill to northern Mitchelstown and Kilbeheny, as well as from beyond Castletownroche in the west and to Ballynoe in the east. Not only towns and villages but every parish and townland in the catchment area contributed handsomely to fundraising efforts.”

The vast involvement of so many people made success a reality.

“Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising Association has enjoyed success after success through the determination and motivation of all involved,” says Sheena.

“The hospital is known far and wide and renowned for the highest level of care provision. Thanks are due to everyone who has ed Fermoy Community Hospital across the four decades through sponsorship, organisation of fundraising events and donations.

“We are grateful to have been able to record the successes achieved in this book and thanks to all who contributed to the construction of this book.”

Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising - a souvenir book of memories and history of Fermoy Community Hospital, €20. Proceeds to Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising.