Bereaved Laois family donate blanket warmer to Tullamore hospital

The son and daughter of a Laois man who died a year ago, have raised over €15,000 for new equipment for Tullamore hospital where he had been a long term patient.

An expensive new blanket warmer was donated this week to the Renal Unit at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, in memory of David Brickley from Clonaslee.

Mr Brickley passed away just over a year ago on November 5, 2021, following several health battles.

A fundraising campaign was begun by his daughter and son, Louise and Patrick Brickley. 

They specifically wanted to generate funds for a blanket warming cabinet, so that dialysis patients could receive a warm blanket when they arrived at the hospital, for their dialysis treatment. Patients having kidney dialysis often feel the cold more acutely.

“Our father had attended the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, three days a week for almost 6 years and during that time an extra blanket was always something he cherished,” Louise said.

Louise and Patrick first organised a Go Fund Me campaign to raise funds for the Renal Dialysis Unit at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. 

Three separate fundraising events were held to help buy the new blanket warmer including a very successful walk in August 2022 through Brittas Woods and lake in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which was attended by over 100 walkers from Offaly and Laois.

As well as this, a closed draw was held for a plot of turf, followed by a climb of Croagh Patrick. In all a total of €15,104 was raised.

The blanket warmer arrived on site on Thursday November 3 2022.  

The response from dialysis patients to the new equipment has been excellent, say staff, particularly on these cold wintry mornings. 

Noreen Galvin is Clinical Nurse Manager in the Renal Unit at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

“Dialysis patients are so appreciative of this generous gift which has had a direct and positive impact on their well-being during their attendance for dialysis treatment.

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"The Renal Team at MRHT are very grateful for the enormous work and commitment involved in this fundraising venture organised by Louise and Patrick and their army of family friends and supporters,” CNM Galvin said.