Bru Columbanus

🥇Feel Grateful Friday - "Moore" Good News!🥇

We are incredibly grateful to Rebecca, who is fundraising for Brú Columbanus as she prepares to run a half marathon on Saturday, 14th September.

Last year, Rebecca's dad, John, suffered a catastrophic stroke just five days after Rebecca’s college graduation. The situation was critical for a time, but we're glad to share that John is now doing well, and is set to return home almost exactly one year to the day after they almost lost him.

Rebecca has a deeply personal connection to our charity, having experienced firsthand the support and care we provide to families during challenging times. Here are some of her kind words on what she had to say about Brú Columbanus:

“I chose to fundraise for Bru because on one of the toughest weeks of my life and my family’s life’s I didn’t have to worry about where I slept or ate or showered, without Bru’s resources and support we would have had to stay in hotels feeling alone and isolated, where as your service provided us with a guaranteed roof over our heads and families who understood our struggles. Your facility requires funds to stay open and if I can fundraise for your service I feel like I can give something to all those families who will unfortunately appreciate your service in the future.

She has already raised over €1,000 and is determined to make a difference! You can learn more about her story and support her fundraising efforts by visiting her GoFundMe page here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fw3uhf

Thank you so much, Rebecca, for your incredible effort and generosity. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

🌲 23 Days To Go!🌲

We’re counting down to the highly anticipated Walk for Brú, and interest is growing fast! Keep in mind that places are limited, so don’t miss out - register now at www.brucolumbanus.com/walkforbru

When: Saturday, September 28th, 2024

Where: We’ll gather at Platform 22 Café (our meeting point) at 10:00am. Here, you can grab a coffee and soak in the atmosphere before we set off on our journey.

A bus will take us from Platform 22 to Newcastle West, where our 10km walk along the Greenway back to Platform 22 will begin. Enjoy the breathtaking views, fresh air, and the sense of community as we walk together in support of Brú Columbanus.

Finish Line Celebration: Upon our return to Platform 22, we'll be greeted with free snacks and refreshments. It’s the perfect way to unwind, share stories, and celebrate our efforts together!

Remember: We’re encouraging people to set up your own i-Donate pages. Any donation, no matter how small, will help keep families together in challenging times.

You can find the steps on the link above, or feel free to give us a call on (021) 434 5754

We’re looking forward to making this a day to remember - We can’t wait to see you there!

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of meeting the Casey family to celebrate the incredible achievement of Ronan, Sarah, and Jason. Together, they completed the Ring of Kerry and raised an impressive €9,450 for Bru Columbanus, in memory of Ronan’s father, Mick, who had a deep passion for cycling and sports.

The three family members honored Mick by completing the 170km endurance test on the very bike Mick had ridden in the past, making this accomplishment even more special.

The Casey family stayed with us in 2023 while Mick was under the care of the staff in CUH.

Thank you to all the Casey family and everyone who donated, for your incredible fundraising effort, which will leave a lasting mark on our history as an exceptionally generous contribution.

🏃‍♀️The Echo Women's Mini Marathon🏃‍♀️

Save the date - Sunday 22nd September 2024 - and get ready to be part of something special! The Cork Echo Women’s Mini Marathon is the perfect event for anyone looking to cross off another achievement from their bucket list or simply enjoy some exercise.

Whether you're an experienced runner or just want to walk with friends, this 5km (3.1 mile) road race, hosted by Cork Athletics, welcomes everyone!

For all the details and to register, just visit the link below:

https://www.njuko.net/echo_mini_marathon_24/select_competition

Get Involved & Make a Difference

We’re encouraging all participants to set up an i-Donate page to raise funds for Bru Columbanus. It’s really easy to get started:

1️⃣ Visit i-Donate.com and click "Start Fundraising"
2️⃣ Choose "Personal Fundraiser"
3️⃣ Name your page—something like "Mini Marathon for Bru" works great!
4️⃣ Click "Create i-Donate Fundraiser" and activate your account (or log in if you already have one)

Once your page is set up, share your link and let the support roll in!
Let’s make this year’s Mini Marathon the best one yet - see you at the starting line! 🏃‍♀️

Postnatal Depression Ireland support group, coffee and chat.

Bru Columbanus

🏐⚽ Feel Grateful Friday - Crecora-Maniser GAA & Meanus Soccer Team ⚽🏐

Today we want to thank the Crecora-Manister GAA and Meanus Soccer Team for their generous fundraiser, which raised a remarkable €1,660 for Bru Columbanus in memory of the beloved Garry O’Connell.

In their times of need, Garry’s family found comfort and assistance with us, and it was a privilege to support them.

Garry was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many. His spirit and the love he shared will forever be remembered. His legacy continues through your generous support and the positive impact you’ve made in his name.

Thank you once again for your incredible support.

⭐ Thank You Cloudera⭐
A really big heartfelt thank you to the 11 amazing volunteers from Cloudera, who generously donated their time to support us at Bru yesterday. Their efforts made a tremendous difference, and we are incredibly grateful for their help.
Thanks to their hard work:
• The kitchen is now spotless and organized.
• The garden is weed-free and looks beautiful.
• The playroom has been tidied up, creating a welcoming space for the children.
• Fresh paint has brightened our walls and window sills.

Your dedication and kindness have truly transformed our space, and we are so appreciative of the energy and care you brought to these tasks. The impact you've made will be felt by the families that are staying with us, when their loved ones are in hospital.

Thank you once again for your invaluable support.

☕ Feel Grateful Friday: Thanks to Frances & John Doyle ☕

This Feel Grateful Friday, we are thrilled to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Doyle family for their incredible support and generosity.

They have organised a wonderful fundraiser to benefit Bru Columbanus, and we are excited to share the details with you!

📅 Event: Coffee Morning with Cake Sale & Raffle
📍 Location: St. Joseph’s & Belindus, Waterford
🕚 Date & Time: August 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM

Join the fun next Wednesday with a delightful coffee morning, where you can savor a selection of delicious cakes and refreshments, take part in an exciting raffle, and connect with the community.

It’s a wonderful chance to support our mission while enjoying some sweet treats and great company at St Joseph, St Benildus & St Mary's Parish

🏃‍♀️ Feel Grateful Friday - Thank you Celine! 🏃‍♀️

A few months ago, we shared a Feel Grateful Friday post about Celine Power from Waterford, who planned to run the Viking Marathon in honor of her mother. Celine and her family stayed with us at Bru last year, and it's great to see we're still in their thoughts.

Being far from their own home, they could have faced the added stress of staying in hotels or B&Bs, or making long drives back and forth to Waterford. Instead, they found comfort and support within our walls. As Celine put it:

“It's a charity my family and I never knew existed until we found ourselves in need, and it offered us invaluable support and facilities during a critical time.”

We were absolutely thrilled and amazed to discover that Celine had raised over €12,000 - an incredible achievement by any standard.
Thank you to Celine and everyone who contributed to this outstanding effort.

It’s a truly wonderful reason to feel grateful this Friday - your name has been added to our supporters tree as a token of our appreciation too!

🕯️ Thank you SMA Parish 🕯️

We are incredibly grateful to the SMA Parish community for their generous support of Bru Columbanus earlier this summer.

The parishioners very kindly donated €2,000, from their monthly charity collection, which will go a long way in helping us continue our mission of providing a home away from home for families during some of their most challenging times.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to all the parishioners who contributed to this wonderful initiative. Your kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated by everyone here at Bru Columbanus, and by the families who benefit from your support.

Sharing this post from J's Bar & Beer Garden, who helped raise over €500 for Brú! - Thank you Clodagh!

"Thank you to everyone that came and supported us on Sunday to help fundraise for two amazing charities! Bru Columbanus & Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

These two charities do amazing work and we were so grateful to be able to raisefunds for both!

We ended up raising just over €1000!

Thank you to every business in Mitchelstown who donated prizes without ye we wouldn’t have raised as much as we did and it was super to see everyone come together!

Eight Degrees Brewing, Moran's Carry Out Mitchelstown, The Favourite & Scullery, Maxol Mitchelstown, McCauleys Fermoy, Markett Place, Fitzgibbons Pharmacy, and supermacs Mitchelstown.

A special thank you to Robert O'Callaghan who cooked everyone’s food and was just an amazing help on the day ❤️

And lasty to our amazing team who served everyone with a smile and worked an unbelievably hard day!"

Join Us for "Walk for Bru" on the Limerick Greenway!

This Feel Grateful Friday, we're excited to share an amazing opportunity to come together, enjoy the beauty of the Limerick Greenway, and support our wonderful cause. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th and join us for the "Walk for Bru" event! 🚶‍♂️🌳

Event Details:

📍 Meeting Point:

We’ll be gathering at Platform 22 Cafe in Barnagh at 10:00am - this spot is a hidden gem with ample parking. It’s the perfect spot to start and finish our walk.

Schedule:

🚌 Schedule:

At 10:15am we’ve arranged for bus transport from Platform 22 to Newcastle West, where our 10km Greenway Walk begins.

🚶‍♀️ Walk Route:

Enjoy tunnels, overpasses, and breathtaking views along the way.

🍽️ Finish Line:

We’ll end back at Platform 22 with free food, snacks, and refreshments waiting for you.

Get Involved:

We encourage everyone to set up an i-Donate page to raise additional funds for Bru Columbanus. It's easy! Just:

Visit the "Walk for Bru" iDonate page and click "Start Fundraising":

Click "Personal Fundraiser"

Name your page - for example, "My Walk for Bru"

Click "Create i-Donate Fundraiser" and activate your account (or login if you already have an account)

Share your fundraising link and gather support!

🎟️ Tickets are €30.00 – reserve your spot here:

https://www.brucolumbanus.com/product/walkforbru/

Can't join us in person? No worries! Participate in our "Virtual Walk" and do "10k Your Way" while still raising funds through your own fundraising page.

Let’s come together, enjoy a beautiful day, and support Bru Columbanus. We’re grateful for your participation and can't wait to see you there!

To start fundraising, click the link below:

https://www.idonate.ie/event/walkforbru

A Huge Thank You to Brian Gallagher! 🚴‍♂️💚

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for Brian Gallagher, who recently raised an incredible €5,860 for Bru Columbanus by cycling the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on July 6th. Brian, your dedication and effort in supporting our cause is truly inspiring!

Brian and Clíodhna have stayed with us a few times over the past year while MJ was in hospital. MJ must be incredibly proud of his dad, who not only raised nearly €6,000 for Brú Columbanus but also played a crucial role in securing a larger share of the community funds from the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle commission.

To Brian, Clíodhna, and everyone who contributed to this fantastic achievement, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your support means the world to us and the families we serve.

🔥 Feel Grateful Friday 🔥

♨️ BBQ at J’s Bar ♨️

Feel free to come along to a special fundraising event on Sunday, August 4th, at J's Bar & Beer Garden in Mitchelstown.

This event which kicks off at 1pm is organized by Clodagh Browne, who, along with her family, benefited from our facilities while a loved one was receiving care at CUH. Now, they wish to give back in gratitude and support others in need.

Enjoy an afternoon filled with great food, refreshing drinks, and lively entertainment, all while contributing to a worthy cause. Your participation and generosity will help us continue providing home from home accommodation and support to families during challenging times, when their loved one's are in Cork Hospitals.

All proceeds will be split between Brú Columbanus and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association

🌳 Feel Grateful Friday News 🌳

Take a look at our beautiful new addition to Brú – our Supporters Tree (made by Urban Design Studio in Ballincollig, Cork).

But, this tree isn't just any tree. It's a special symbol of gratitude and community, growing with the generous spirit of our wonderful donors. Every leaf on this tree will eventually represent a heartfelt donation, each one helping us provide a home away from home for families of patients in Cork hospitals.

We're excited to see our tree grow with our supporters' names attached, and we hope it becomes a colorful testament to the incredible support we receive from our community.

Stay tuned for updates and more details, and thank you for helping us grow and for being a part of the Brú family.

Together, we're making a difference, one leaf at a time. 🍃

Hi everyone! It's time for our second "Feel Grateful Friday" post today, and we have something extra special to share!

Meet Katie, an amazing 11-year-old with a heart of gold! Katie's family stayed with us at Brú Columbanus last year while her dad was in CUH hospital, and she hasn't forgotten how much it meant to them.

Katie decided to get crafty and made beautiful friendship bracelets to sell, raising an incredible €150 for our cause, adding to the €140 she had already raised.

Katie, your creativity and kindness have touched our hearts, and we're so grateful for your support. You're a superstar!

Let's all give Katie a big round of applause - thank you!

🚴‍♂️ Feel Grateful Friday - Patrick Fitzgibbon & The Knights of Columbanus 🚴‍♂️

We're delighted to share that Presentation Brother, Patrick Fitzgibbon completed the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle last weekend, in the name of Brú Columbanus.

Patrick conquered the 170km of hills and valleys, and helped raise €500 for our cause. Tackling those hills was no easy feat, but Patrick showed us that determination and a good cause can take you far - even up the steepest climbs!

Thank you to Patrick and all the Knights of Columbanus for helping to raise those funds, and for all for your continued support and generosity. Together, we’re riding high and making wonderful things happen!

Happy Feel Grateful Friday, everyone! Let’s keep the positive vibes rolling for the weekend.

Captured below: Patrick O’Flynn (Board Member), Pat Meade (House Manager) and Patrick Fitzgibbon (Presentation Brother).

🚴‍♂️ Shoutout to KKR 🚴‍♀️

It's not every day that a team of dedicated individuals come together to raise funds, volunteer and cycle 170 kilometers for an organisation. Yet, that's exactly what happened on Saturday when KKR's amazing team took part in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, raising an impressive €5,000!

Their passion and effort have truly set a shining example of community spirit and generosity.

Based in Stephens Green, Dublin, KKR is a prominent global investment firm with a legacy of over four decades. Known for their commitment to responsible investing and community engagement, as demonstrated this weekend, KKR is dedicated to making a positive impact worldwide.

We also must give thanks to the volunteers from KKR who helped on the day - Ciara Stack had her husband and father on hand to help, along with Joanne Curran, Anet Ilieva; Abbie McEvatt-Lynch, Amaia Olarreta and Yash Goenka.

Thank you once again to KKR and all their incredible employees who participated. Your support means the world to Brú and our guests. Your support will help to keep a family close to their loved one in hospital.

Cyclists pictured - Sean O'Brien; Nicolas Moutou; Cormac Gunne; Alessandro Eusepi; Michael Gilleran; Scott Karnas; Stephen Barry; Peter Floyd; Rohan Koli; Aidan Kelly; Oisin Dolly; Gavin Murrin; Grainne Temple; Eoin Curley; Fergal Twomey; Enda Farrelly

🚴‍♂️ Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle - Brú Columbanus Photos 🚴‍♀️

Last weekend, we all had an incredible time at the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle! Registrations wrapped up at 9am on Saturday morning, and we were thrilled to see a fantastic turnout of cyclists doing the loop in our name.

Although a few rain showers tried to dampen our spirits, the sun shone brightly on our determined cyclists, who braved the elements with smiles and joy!

Shoutouts to:

We extend our gratitude to all the cyclists who participated, each of whom played a crucial role in supporting our cause. Your dedication and efforts have made a significant impact, and we are immensely grateful for your support!

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our board member, Patrick Seigne, for completing the cycle and to everyone else who participated in the event in our name.

This also wouldn’t have been possible without our medical station volunteers, whose expertise and care ensured the safety and well-being of all participants. We also have to mention the fantastic work put in by the event volunteers in Killarney and Kenmare.

It was incredible to see our community come together to create an unforgettable event. The energy was electric,and the extraordinary day was filled with memorable moments and remarkable achievements, showcasing the impact we can make when we unite for a common cause.

You can find all our photos from the event on our Google Drive link below:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jx8bqG3bv8rtAwlAMorrJUC8JVx8VRlf?usp=drive_link

Thank you all for your incredible support and dedication!

💖 Thank You - Lawton Family 💖

It was an emotional return to Brú Columbanus for the Lawton family after their incredible fundraising event that took place in Easter this year.

They raised over €12,000 to support other families in need of a place to stay while their loved ones are in the hospital. These funds ensure that other families can have a comforting home away from home during challenging times, just as the Lawton family did.

The Lawton family's dedication to fundraising for Brú Columbanus and Marymount Hospice in Cork has been truly inspiring - seeing global participation from places like Barcelona, Brussels, Kraków, London, Los Angeles, Marbella, Marrakesh, Prague, Toronto, Seattle, Sydney, Washington D.C., France, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, and New Zealand.

Thank you to Eimear, Nora and the entire Lawton family, for your extraordinary dedication and to everyone who participated or donated. Your generosity has made a significant impact, providing comfort and care to those who need it most.

⚛︎ Feel Grateful Friday - Danny O'Donohue & Edwards Lifesciences ⚛︎

This week, we had the immense pleasure of visiting Edwards Lifesciences in Shannon for a very special cheque presentation. We are incredibly grateful to Danny O'Donohue and the “Let's Talk Team” for taking part in Movember and raising €1170 for Bru Columbanus and a further €1170 for Milford Hospice.

Two years ago, Danny’s family stayed with us while he was receiving care at CUH. Danny’s family were so grateful for the support and comfort Bru Columbanus provided during such a challenging time.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful team at Edwards Lifesciences for their warm welcome and support.

Their team fundraising initiatives have benefited numerous charities over the years, and we are truly honored to have been included in 2024.

We thank you, Danny, and everyone at Edwards Lifesciences, your kindness and generosity has helped us continue to provide a "home away from home" for those in need.

👶 Feel Grateful Friday 👶

Did you hear that the Kenrick family has raised an incredible €4,500 for Brú Columbanus!?

Their journey began when their beautiful daughter Aoife was born on July 27th last year and needed two weeks of Neonatal care at CUH. During this challenging time, Sinead and Ciaran stayed at Brú Columbanus, where they found a comforting home away from home.

To express their gratitude, the Kenrick family organized a fundraising effort for CUH and Brú Columbanus. On June 2nd, they participated in the Cork City 10k run. Aoife’s aunt Ailish joined the run, and her godmother Sinéad impressively took on a half marathon.

We would also like to thank Aoife's godfather Ian, who completed the 10k run also - we are immensely grateful for his generosity and effort in making a difference!

We had the pleasure of meeting the Kenrick family this week, and we were delighted to see Aoife in great spirits despite the long journey!
Their commitment and hard work have made a tremendous impact, helping us continue our mission.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported or donated to this event - your generosity enables us to keep providing essential support to families in need.

🇪🇸 Farewell and Thank You, Ricardo! 🇪🇸

It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to one of our valued team members, Ricardo.

For the past 2 years, Ricardo has been a pillar of kindness and reliability here at Brú Columbanus. His dedication and warm spirit have touched us all, and his contributions have made a lasting impact.

As Ricardo embarks on a new journey, returning to Madrid, Spain for his studies, we wish him nothing but the best. Though we will miss him dearly, we are excited for the bright future that lies ahead for him.

Thank you, Ricardo, for everything you’ve done for us. You will always be a cherished part of the Bru Columbanus family.

¡ Buena suerte, Ricardo !

🚗 A Heartfelt Thank You to the Vauxhall Opel Vintage Club! 🚗

We are overjoyed to announce that the Beara Run Rally, organised by the incredible Vauxhall Opel Vintage Club, raised an amazing €1,385 earlier this month!

The rally kicked off from Helen's Bar in Kilmacalogue on a beautiful day, filled with stunning vintage cars and enthusiastic participants.
Check out our photos from the day to see the fun and community spirit in action!

We are immensely grateful to the club and everyone involved. Your generosity will make a significant difference, ensuring families can be close to their loved ones in their time of need.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

❤️

Dedicated Board Members of Bru Columbanus Take on Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle

Bru Columbanus is proud to announce that two of our board members are stepping up to support the organisation in an extraordinary way.

Patrick Seigne, a Consultant Anaesthetist/Intensivist at Cork University Hospital and dedicated board member, will participate in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle to raise vital funds for Bru Columbanus.

Bru Columbanus provides home-from-home accommodation for families of patients in Cork hospitals, and you can support Patrick’s fundraising efforts by visiting his iDonate page at:

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/PatrickSeigne536

Patrick said:

“Every day I see the impact that Bru Columbanus has on the loved ones and patients in the ICU. The families of the patients tell us all the time how grateful they are to be able to stay at such a wonderful haven,”.

In addition, Anne McCarthy, another devoted board member and an ICU nurse at Cork University Hospital, will volunteer as a medical professional at one of the charity cycle stations in Kenmare. Her involvement will help ensure the safety and well-being of all the participants.

Anne said:

“I'm honoured to support this event not only as a board member but also as an ICU nurse, and I look forward to contributing to such a worthy cause”

The commitment and generosity of Patrick and Ann highlight the incredible dedication of our community members, and remember, it’s not too late to register to do the cycle for Brú Columbanus at:
www.brucolumbanus.com/ROK

Remember, your donation, no matter the size, will help us provide a comforting place for more families in their time of need.

☀️ Kenmare Walk - Sunshine and Smiles! ☀️

This past Saturday, we had an absolutely incredible day for our annual Bru Columbanus Kenmare Walk!

Although the day began with clouds and the threat of rain, they disappeared just in time, leaving us with stunning sunshine and perfect weather for our walk.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the 80 wonderful registrants who supported the day and brought their enthusiasm and energy to the event. Our adventure kicked off at the Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort, where we hopped on a bus that took us through the breathtaking hills of Gowlane. The journey itself was a treat, offering picturesque views and stunning scenery.

At around 11am we set off, and by 1pm most participants had finished the walk and made their way to Bean and Batch Deli and Bakery. There, we enjoyed a well-deserved celebration with an array of tea, snacks, delicious cakes, and sandwiches.

The day was nothing short of a huge success, filled with laughter, joy, and a strong sense of community. It was heartwarming to see so many people come together for such a worthy cause.

Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make this event so memorable.

You can find the photos from the event on our Facebook Photo Albums, or you can download them from this Google Drive Link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14dM_clqTRTCDxxDIDQp9x6ijmQohEoDd?usp=sharing

Your support and participation mean the world to us, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year!