Laois charity funds lifesaving devices for Portlaoise hospital

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Castletown-based Road to Recovery team for their exceptional fundraising through their Road Run held in February of this year.

The Friends say the dedication of the organising team, together with the generosity of every donor, volunteer, and participant, has allowed for the purchase of two vital pieces of equipment for the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Funds raised from the event enabled the purchase of two essential pieces of equipment:

• A breast pump for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) for mothers of premature or unwell infants, helping ensure that vulnerable babies receive the vital nutrition and care;
• A McGrath Video Laryngoscope, a state-of-the-art device that greatly assists staff in performing safer, more efficient airway management. This advanced tool enhances visibility and precision during intubation.

The Friends say these additions are invaluable to the hospital and highlight the real, tangible benefits of community fundraising.

Áine Reams spoke on behalf of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital. MORE BELOW PHOTO.


“We are delighted to be able to purchase these lifesaving items for the hospital, which wouldn't be possible without the generosity shown by the Road to Recovery team. These pieces of equipment will make a real and immediate difference to families during some of their most vulnerable moments, and we are so thankful to Toney Ryan and his family for choosing the Friends as their beneficiaries for the Road Run this year," she said.

Anne Whitford, Consultant Anaesthetist at MRHP, was also grateful.

“Thank you to the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital for their generous presentation to our Department of Anaesthesiology & Intensive care of this additional piece of life saving equipment for use in difficult general Anaesthesia cases in our operating theatres. This device is used on a daily basis and is an important clinical aid to our work," she said.

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Looking ahead, the Road to Recovery team has announced that next year’s Road Run will be held again in aid of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, taking place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The presentation of the new devices to the hosptial, was attended by Emma Dempsey, Chairperson of Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Ger Egan, Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, Toney Ryan, Road to Recovery, Monica Pataki, Anaesthetist MRHP, Anne Whitford, Anaesthetist MRHP, Jane Wallace Clinical Nurse Manager Theatre MRHP and Niamh Ryan, Road to Recovery

For more information on how to support the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, you can find them on social media.