Locals urged to 'make a difference' for Laois Hospice on Hospice Sunflower Days

Miriam O’Callaghan with Polly Plunkett and Hailey Whelan at the launch of Together for Hospice’s Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign (Photo: Conor McCabe Photography).

placeholder image — Miriam O’Callaghan with Polly Plunkett and Hailey Whelan at the launch of Together for Hospice’s Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign (Photo: Conor McCabe Photography).

Collections will take place across Laois this June to help support Laois Hospice

Laois Hospice has announced the return of Hospice Sunflower Days this June which aims to support local palliative care.

Together for Hospice's Hospice Sunflower Days will return to Laois on Friday, June 12 with collections taking place on streets across the county.

Miriam O’Callaghan, Hospice Sunflower Days' Ambassador, visited St. Francis Hospice in Dublin this week to officially launch this year’s campaign.

Everyone in Laois has been called to show their support for Laois Hospice in Portlaoise through donating to the on-street collections in June.

Miriam O’Callaghan with young Polly Plunkett at the launch of Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign (Photo: Conor McCabe Photography.)

As well as these collections, people can support the hospice by donating online at www.sunflowerdays.ie.

All the money raised through these collections will remain locally, with donations directly going to Laois Hospice.

Speaking about the launch of the 2026 Hospice Sunflower Days campaign, Mary Delaney of Laois Hospice said: "Hospice Sunflower Days is one of our main fundraising campaigns and we rely on the public's support to raise as much funds as possible to allow us to continue to provide our vital services.

"We are calling on everyone from the area to give what they can during Hospice Sunflower Days to help make a difference to Laois Hospice as everything raised locally, stays locally."

Showing her support for the campaign, the Primetime presenter with Laois roots, Miriam O'Callaghan said: "I am delighted to be here once again to show my support for the Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. The work that hospices and palliative homecare services provide is so important.

Miriam O’Callaghan with 7-year-old Hailey Whelan from Dublin at the launch of Together for Hospice’s Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign (Photo: Conor McCabe Photography).

"I have seen first-hand the huge impact that hospice care provides for families from all across Ireland and I would encourage everyone to support this vital campaign by donating to the on-street collections or donating online to help raise as much funds as possible for hospices and palliative homecare services from all over the country."

Together for Hospice, the National Hospice Movement, represents 24 hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers supporting patients and their families across Ireland.

These services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, while also offering assistance to the patient’s family members.

Hospices nationwide need to raise approximately €20 million each year to provide their patient centred care and as the population ages, demand for specialist hospice and palliative homecare services continues to grow.

Fundraised income is used by local hospice services such as Laois Hospice to fund new buildings, refurbish existing buildings, staff, extra comforts for patients and their families, and innovative patient care projects nationwide.

Funds raised through Together for Hospice campaigns support some of the core services funded by the HSE.