Friends of the Coombe

GAA players, pundits and TV presenters are coming together at The K Club ahead of July’s All Ireland Hurling and Football Finals for a special one-off fundraiser which will enable Friends of the Coombe to purchase a flexible lighting system, artwork, and other items to add the finishing touches to new bereavement suites being developed at The Coombe Hospital.

Gaelic managers and footballers Jim Gavin, Tomás Ó Sé, Peter Canavan, Lindsay Peat, Mick Galwey and Pádraic Joyce will join hurlers Donal Óg Cusack, TJ Ryan, Davy Fitzgerald, Jackie Tyrrell and Liam Sheedy on The K Club’s Palmer South course from 2pm on Thursday 11th July for a golf event followed by an All Ireland preview dinner at 7pm.

RTÉ personalities Marty Morrissey and Jacqui Hurley will be presenting the unique event organised for ‘Friends of the Coombe’ following the heartbreaking personal experience of Maureen Catterson. Maureen, like so many parents, found herself trying to process her loss amid the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital.

Maureen said: “Around 15,000 women in Ireland have miscarriages each year. Dealing with the trauma of miscarriage or stillbirth is devastating whatever the circumstances, but I remember thinking that trying to come to terms with what had happened in very busy surroundings would be a little easier to have a quiet space.”

Thankfully, Maureen and Brendan have now welcomed beautiful baby Brian into their family but feel compelled to do what they can to help ease such traumatic experiences for other parents. “Six months ago, we welcomed the most precious boy into our lives,” said Maureen. “We had a long road before Brian was born and now that he’s here, healthy and safe, we want to give something back to The Coombe Hospital and to help other parents who sadly have to go through such heartbreak. We were told that the hospital was in the process of developing new bereavement suites for parents and families who are suffering unimaginable heartbreak. The proceeds from this event will enable them to add important finishing touches to help make what is a clinical space feel more like a home away from home”.