Cork University Hospital has secured critical new equipment to help seriously ill children after a kind donation from a trio of Cork porters.
The initiative was started by three colleagues – all named John – who originally started using the deposit return scheme to save up money for a shared takeaway at the end of their shifts. Shortly after starting, the trio pivoted and decided to donate the money to the CUH charity.
Over the last few months, the group has collected over 123,000 plastic bottles and cans, raising close to €20,000. The fundraiser is now among the country’s best-supported recycling efforts and is being run by colleagues John Collins and John Keenan.
They have spent the last seven months picking up used bottles and cans at the end of their shifts and redeeming them for cash at local shops under the deposit return scheme.
That money has now been used to buy a mobile high-flow oxygen therapy unit for babies and children battling bronchiolitis, pneumonia and asthma. Mr Collins said he never imagined the fundraiser would become such a success.
He said: “We are overwhelmed that it has enabled the hospital to buy this equipment, or that we would even pass the €10,000 mark. We are doing it seven months now, we started on May 3 and the first donation to CUH Charity was €220.
“There is huge support from inside the hospital, we are collecting 12 bags of bottles and cans a day, averaging between 600 and 800 containers. And that’s without targeting the entire hospital, we don’t have the manpower to do that, if we did, we’d be up to €30,000. We’ll continue this for as long as we can – despite not getting the Chinese takeaway!”
Consultant paediatrician at CUH, Dr David Mullane, said the high-flow oxygen therapy (Airvo) unit is used to deliver increased and uninterrupted oxygen to infants and children with acute respiratory problems. Many children receiving it require movement between different areas of the hospital and occasionally, transfer to intensive care.
“To maintain Airvo delivery during transfer in these circumstances, a mobile device with its own external battery or power source is required,” said Dr Mullane.
“This new piece of equipment will provide that and allow seamless transfer while maintaining Airvo delivery. This will enable us to deliver the optimum care for patients in respiratory distress. We really appreciate our colleagues agreeing to fund this important equipment through their recycling efforts.”
CUH Charity executive director Claire Concannon said the organisation is indebted to the men for their “tireless work”.
She said: “To think that they have continued this incredible effort in their own time and made such a difference to young patients at the hospital, is a wonderful testament to their character, they deserve all the praise they receive.”