Press Release s63

PRESS RELEASE 15th October 2013 Immediate release.

THE IRISH HOSPICE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THAT JOHN LONERGAN AND MARY O’ROURKE WILL SPEAK AT BEREAVEMENT INFORMATION MEETING - Former Governor of Mountjoy prison John Lonergan will speak on the topic of “Living with Loss” while former TD Mary O’Rourke will give a personal reflection at “an information evening for the public on bereavement being organised by the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin on 1st November.

The “drop-in” event will start at 5:30pm and will run until 8:30pm. Mary O’Rourke will speak at 6:30pm while Mr Lonergan will address the gathering at 7:30pm.

The public event is being organised as part of the IHF’s bereavement support function and aims to provide information about grief and the range of supports available to bereaved people.

Members of the public will be able to talk to voluntary bereavement support services about the supports they provide. Video presentations are also being organised.

Sharon Foley, CEO of the IHF, commented: “November is traditionally a month for remembrance. This is the second year that we have organised this information evening. The first event in 2012 was very successful and went some way to support some of the very many people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For most people, having access to good information or a sympathetic friend is all that is needed to help them come to terms with their loss.”

Nearly 29,000 people die each year in Ireland. As at least 10 people are affected by each death, it is estimated that 290,000 people are newly bereaved annually.

The IHF is the national charity which promotes the hospice philosophy and supports the development of hospice and palliative care. Work in the area of bereavement is a core activity for the IHF.

Its Bereavement Education & Resource Centre includes a specialist reference library. Practical training is provided in the form of workshops and seminars. The IHF also organises a range of education programmes in association with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland as well as resources such as information leaflets and a specially designed bereavement pin. A collection of information and resources is available through www.hospicefoundation.ie or through www.bereaved.ie. The public event on November 1st is free to attend. Bookings are not necessary.

This year’s event is kindly sponsored by Fanagans funeral directors.

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For more information, please contact: Caroline Lynch, Head of Communications and Advocacy, The Irish Hospice Foundation. Tel: 01-679 31 88 or 087-123 75 86 Email: [email protected]