Maria honoured for Milford Care Centre volunteer work

A VOLUNTEER with Milford Care Centre has been honoured with a national award.

Maria Welford, a Tipperary native living in Killaloe, has been a volunteer at Milford Care Centre for over 15 years.

Her work has been honoured at Bewley's Cafe in Dublin where she was presented with a Together for Hospice Hero Award. Maria's dedication to Milford Care Centre continues as she urges everyone to support the Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice.

This year’s event aims to raise over €2m and takes place on September 25 but supporters can host or attend a coffee morning on a date that suits them, with every cent raised locally going to their local hospice.

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Maria said being on the other side of the hospice services gave her an even greater appreciation of the level of care involved. “Milford is an amazing organisation and unfortunately, our family had to use it for the first time this year.”

“My sister-in-law passed away in January and the care she got was just exceptional.”

Maria continued: “That really opened my eyes to the work the hospice does and why we do this work – it's the little extras, like a manicure or massages the patients get.”

“Without those nurses and care assistants, there is no hospice; they’re its backbone and they’re angels.

Maria said her family was blown away by the support. “They said, ‘now we know why you’re a volunteer, now we know why you never stop’.”

Maria volunteers each year on Hospice Sunflower Day, the Light a Memory Christmas campaign, the annual 10km fundraiser and the Bewley’s fundraiser. “I love my involvement in Milford and in the coffee morning - it’s hard work but I love it.”

Maria has lived in Killaloe for almost 50 years and is an active member of the community. “People locally here in Killaloe, Ballina will never say no to Milford – nobody does, So many people have used the services in Milford Hospice and they are so grateful.”