Incredible €18,750 raised for Sunflower Children’s Hospice at Saw Doctors Mayo gigs

The Saw Doctors’ Castlebar concerts have raised an impressive €18,750 for Sunflower Children’s Hospice, following the sale of 750 limited-edition t-shirts created especially for the band’s Mayo shows. The t-shirts proved hugely popular, selling out on the first night of the Saw Doctors’ two sold-out shows at the TF Royal Castlebar on Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th.

The specially designed t-shirts were made available to fans for €25, with all proceeds going towards the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar, which will provide specialist palliative care and support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across eight counties on the western seaboard.

Funded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the project will be the first children’s hospice to be built outside Dublin and the first of its kind to be constructed in Ireland since 2011.A site has already been secured in Castlebar, with the Government and HSE committed to supporting clinical governance. Construction is due to begin later this year.

The front of the t-shirt featured Declan Colohan’s photograph of The Saw Doctors performing ‘Green and Red of Mayo’, while the back featured the lyrics of the first verse of the song, courtesy of writers Leo Moran, Davy Carton and Jarír Al-Majar.

Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors said: “We’re delighted all the special event t-shirts sold out at the recent Castlebar shows with all the money going to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.”

Pat Jennings, Managing Director, TF Royal Theatre, said: “Everyone who was there will remember the night The Saw Doctors played the TF Royal Theatre. The atmosphere was electric, made even more special by knowing it was all in support of Sunflower Children's Hospice.

"Nothing compares to Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, or Mayo finally lifting the Sam Maguire after 75 years, but the Saw Doctors' concerts brought that emotion flooding back."

"For many, the night felt like an extension of the celebrations. Fans arrived in Mayo jerseys and county colours, giving the evening the feel of another homecoming. The songs, the shared memories and the sense of togetherness brought back the euphoria of the All-Ireland win, turning the concert into something far bigger than just a night of music.”

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “To have such an iconic band use the excitement, pride and emotion surrounding ‘Green and Red of Mayo’ to support the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice is incredibly special.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the t-shirts sold out, raising an incredible €18,750 for Sunflower Children’s Hospice. All of the funds will contribute directly to the development of the new hospice and the vital service it will provide to children and families across the West of Ireland.

The support of The Saw Doctors, Pat Jennings and the team at the TF Royal Theatre, and everyone who bought a t-shirt has been hugely appreciated.”