Hollister partners with Sunflower Children's Hospice as they celebrate 50 years in Ballina
Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Shane Caher, Senior Director, Plant Operations, and General Manager at Hollister Incorporated, Audrey Duffy, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. Photo Conor McKeown
Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation is delighted to announce a new three-year partnership with Hollister Ballina, a global healthcare company and the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, the first children’s hospice to serve the Western Seaboard.
As a part of this partnership, Hollister Ballina employees have pledged to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice through a monthly employee fundraising draw over the next three years.
The funds raised will support the development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which will provide essential care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as vital support for their families, across eight counties in the West of Ireland.
The eight bed Sunflower Children’s Hospice will include family accommodation, hydrotherapy baths, play therapy and sensory rooms, access to gardens from each room and most importantly a team of multidisciplinary medical professionals on site. Construction is due to commence in late 2026.
The announcement coincides with Hollister celebrating 50 years of operations in Ballina. The MedTech manufacturer first opened its Ballina facility in 1976 and now employs close to 1,000 people at its County Mayo site, which specialises in the production of Ostomy and Continence Care products.
Shane Caher, Sr. Director Plant Operations & General Manager of Hollister said: ‘’At Hollister ULC Ballina, our values guide not just the work we do, but how we care for people.”
“As a team focused every day on improving comfort and quality of life, we feel a deep connection to our community and to the compassionate care the Sunflower Children's Hospice will provide to patients and families at such an important time.”
“This unique partnership is especially meaningful because it was driven by our associates - people who wanted to make a real difference in their own community. It is something we are truly proud to stand behind.’’
Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation said: “Hollister have been part of the Ballina community for 50 years, and we are truly grateful that they have chosen to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice for the next three years.
“Their patient-centred approach to healthcare aligns closely with our own values, and this partnership will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children and families who rely on our care.”
“I would like to sincerely thank all of the employees at Hollister who take part in the monthly draw, their generosity brings us a significant step closer to making the vision of Sunflower Children’s Hospice a reality.”
For over 30 years, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has been dedicated to providing palliative care services to people with life limiting illnesses and their families in County Mayo and County Roscommon.
The Palliative Care Teams have supported more than 25,000 patients and their families to date. Both Mayo Hospice and Roscommon Hospice were developed and paid for by fundraised income (a combined €15.3 million) and are a result of the great support received from the people of Mayo and Roscommon.
To make a donation, see www.hospice.ie
