John Higgins is Milford Care Centre Hospice Hero ahead of Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 Campaign

John Higgins, centre, receives his Together For Hospice Hero award from Anne Marie Hayes, left, and Miriam O’Callaghan, Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, pictured at the launch event held at St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

Limerick’s John Higgins has been honoured as Milford Care Centre’s Hospice Hero ahead of the 2026 Hospice Sunflower Days from June 11-13

Milford Care Centre honours John Higgins as their 2026 Hospice Hero for his many years of fundraising service on behalf of the hospice. John received the award from Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, Miriam O’Callaghan, at a special ceremony in St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.

The event coincided with the Hospice Sunflower Days 2026 campaign launch, which John is urging members of the public to get involved with from June 11-13.

John, along with 12 others from all across the country were honoured with the title of ‘Hospice Hero’ at the event. John consistently goes above and beyond in supporting the hospice’s Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. From travelling across Limerick and Clare to set up collections to stepping in at short notice when volunteers are unavailable, John’s dedication, effort & reliability truly makes a major difference.

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This year marks the 36th year of the Hospice Sunflower Days campaign with the on-street collections taking place from Thursday, 11th June 2026, to Saturday, 13th June 2026.

Volunteers will take to villages, cities and towns all across the country to help raise vital funds for hospice & palliative care services and every euro raised locally, stays locally! You can also show your support by donating to your chosen hospice online via the website, www.sunflowerdays.ie

Speaking at the official ‘Hospice Hero’ ceremony, Miriam O’Callaghan said, “I am delighted to get involved once again with Hospice Sunflower Days. This is a very worthy cause, and with all funds raised locally staying in the local area, it really offers a great opportunity for people to make a difference for their local hospice or specialist palliative homecare service.”

Mary O’Brien, CEO, Milford Care Centre, commented, “We are delighted to recognise John’s hard work & dedication to Milford Care Centre by naming him our Hospice Hero today. We’re encouraging people across the region to join John to help us to raise vital funds for the hospice during Hospice Sunflower Days 2026. Every donation really does make a difference!”

Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, represents 24 hospices and specialist palliative homecare providers supporting patients and their families across Ireland. These services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, while also offering assistance to the patient’s family members.

Hospices nationwide need to raise approximately €20 million each year to provide their patient centred care and as our population ages, demand for specialist hospice and palliative homecare services continues to grow. Fundraised income is used by local hospice services to fund new buildings, refurbishment of existing buildings, staff, extra comforts for patients and their families, and innovative patient care projects nationwide. Funds raised through Together for Hospice campaigns support some of the core services funded by the HSE. That is why fundraisers such as Hospice Sunflower Days are so important to hospices and homecare services throughout the country.

If you would like to volunteer to help Milford Care Centre with their collections this June, you can contact the fundraising team today on 061 485 800 or visit the Sunflower Days website.