“Support Munster’s sick children on Independence Day”

Cork University Hospital’s Children’s Unit announced as Official Charity Partner of Cork Rebel Week 2013

As part of the Cork Rebel Week celebrations later this year, the People’s Republic of Cork will “officially” become “independent” for one day on October 16^th! On Cork Independence Day over 50 “Visa Checkpoints” around the city and county, will control entry to “the real capital”, and it’s all in the name of a very good cause, the Children’s Unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH), helping thousands of sick children from all over Munster each year.

All visitors to Cork on October 16^th are invited to get a Cork Visa, which will be available to purchase for just €2 from shops and various outlets around the city and county from this month, right up to Cork Independence Day, or directly at the “Checkpoints” on the day itself. 100% of proceeds from the Cork Visa will go directly the Children’s Unit at the CUH, the official charity partner for Cork Rebel Week, 2013. 

The Children’s Unit at CUH was selected from a very high calibre of applications to become the official charity partner of Cork Rebel Week 2013, Cork’s flagship Gathering event which takes place from October 14^th to 20^th and details of the charity campaign were unveiled at a special launch event in the Hospital on Wednesday 10^th July.

For the first time ever the children and staff of the Children’s Unit of CUH are asking for your help to improve the facilities in the Unit. The unit was built in 1978 and is in major need of updating; so funds raised through the sale of the Cork Visa will be used to transform the unit which sees almost 10,000 children admitted annually.

Over the last number of years, staff in the Children’s Unit have continued to update and transform their skills to meet the demands of the sick children from all over Munster for whom they provide care; unfortunately however, the Unit itself has not had any significant modernisation since it was built.  Through their association with Cork Rebel Week, the funds CUH raise will help to improve the décor in the unit and make it more child friendly, and improve the areas that the children receive treatment in.

More specifically, funds will be used to update cramped, outdated facilities, provide bathing and breastfeeding facilities, and provide sleeping facilities for parents in the Ladybird Ward, which caters for children under 18 months old; while the Puffin Ward will see the introduction of isolation facilities, a high-dependency unit, en-suite rooms and sleeping facilities for parents. As well as these specific ward needs, funds will also be used to introduce more toilets, baby changing facilities, a counselling room, palliative care facilities and a sensory area for children with special needs.

Speaking at the partnership announcement, Marie Watson, Nurse Manager of the Children’s Unit said “Cork University Hospital’s Children’s Unit needs to be transformed to meet the needs of the children we see through the doors every day. Right now, we are providing superior care in outdated facilities. These children deserve the best, and to grow up knowing they have the best healthcare facility possible on their doorstep. We’re urging everyone to help us grow bigger and better so that we can provide our care to your children in the best facilities possible.”

Commenting on the charity partnership, Joe Brown, CEO, CUH Charity “We’re honoured to have been selected as the official charity partner of Cork Rebel Week 2013, and are very excited about the upcoming Independence Day. As the only full service, dedicated Children’s Unit in Munster, the funds we will raise through the association are vital for the essential refurbishments we need to make in a bid to make it a better place for sick children from all over Munster. By simply purchasing a Cork Visa for Cork Independence Day, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of the children who use our facilities.”

Speaking about the selection of the Children’s Unit at CUH as the official charity partner, Cork Rebel Week organiser, Padraic O’Kane stated “We wanted funds raised in Munster to benefit Munster, and this is why the Children’s Unit at CUH was the ideal choice to become our charity partner. One of the main talking points of Cork Rebel Week will be the Cork Visa and with the cooperation of An Garda Siochána and the Local Authorities, who will be supporting the checkpoints throughout the city and county including the airport, bus and train stations, together we have the potential to raise a huge amount and change the lives of the children who visit CUH.”

The Cork Visa is available from shops and other retail outlets all around the city and county now. For more information visit www.corkrebelweek2013.com.