Philip's 60th birthday fundraiser

Hi everyone, Philip Stewart here.

I have a long and strong affiliation and fondness with St. Vincent's hospital, mountmellick. My late grandmother, Isabella Whitford, from The Rock, spent her last years there, back in the seventies, under the wonderful care of the staff, many who were young girls back then, are still working there today, caring for our loved ones, three hundred and sixty five days a year, twenty four seven.

My own mother, Hilda Stewart (nee Whitford), who suffered with dementia in her later years, also spent her last years in St. Vincent's, getting the same care and compassion, and being treated with the same dignity and respect as was given to her mother. My father, David Stewart, spent several years using the day care facility, before finally becoming a patient there himself.

Without this wonderful gem in our community, which I sometimes feel we take for granted, I do not know what we as a family would have done, and many families like ours.

As you may know, in recent years, they opened a new unit, especially for the care of patients with dementia. Support from the community for this unit is always welcome, be it financial or otherwise.

With this in mind, and the fact that I will be celebrating a big roundy birthday in August, I would love, that instead of buying me gifts, I would really appreciate if you could make a small donation to Friends of St. Vincent's, mountmellick, where I am assured that all money raised will go directly for the care, comfort and enjoyment of our loved ones.

Thank you so much in anticipation,

Philip Stewart