The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Shop in Swinford will celebrate 20 years in business on Tuesday, July 7. The Hospice Shop in Swinford was the first of 12 shops operated by the Foundation to open in 2000.
It first opened its doors on Chapel Street before moving to a bigger premises on Bridge Street. Its opening paved the way for 11 other shops to open throughout Mayo and Roscommon since then. These shops have proven to be a pivotal part of raising funds for providing palliative care services.
Margaret Devaney, who was the first full time staff member in the shop, is now the shop manager. Ann Meehan from Charlestown, who is still a volunteer with the shop 20 years later, was an integral part of getting the shop up and running in Swinford and has remained part and parcel of the team there down through the years.
As well as Ann, three of the volunteers who got involved when the shop opened in 2000 are also still giving of their time today – they are Maura Carron, Mary Gallagher and Ann Gordon.
CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation Martina Jennings said: "The Hospice Shops are an incredible success story and that story began 20 years ago with the opening of the Swinford Shop.
"We are so grateful to our staff and volunteers in our Swinford Shop for making it the success it is and to everyone in the community who supports it - week in, week out. That hard work makes it possible to provide palliative care services to those who need it most.
"While current Covid-19 restrictions mean the celebration on Tuesday next cannot be as big as what we would have liked, we will mark the day and we would love to see customers dropping in on the day, while adhering to all guidelines, to join in marking this very special occasion."
