Response to Bishop Colton’s Appeal for Masks for Cork Charity

Photo above – Eileen O’Keeffe, CNM at St Luke’s, receives a gift of 5000 masks from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dr John Sheehan.

On Wednesday 22nd April, nursing homes in Ireland, including Saint Luke’s Home, Cork – a 148 year old charity in the Diocese of Cork – received new guidance from the HSE advising that masks be worn by all healthcare workers be worn in caring for residents, regardless of the COVID-19 status of a resident.

The charity CEO, Tony O’Brien, contacted the HSE who were unable to assist with the supply of masks, so Bishop Colton who chairs the Board of Directors made an appeal on social media and local radio.

In order to fulfil the new guidance St Luke’s requires 10,000 masks every week. Bishop Colton said:

Sourcing PPE, as every one knows, is a huge issue at the moment. We have been overwhelmed by the contacts we have received. The unforeseen cost is a challenge, of course, at a time when routine fund-raising is also scuppered, so we are especially grateful to those who have donated two supplies amounting to 10,000 masks to tide us over the first week until we can get sorted with sourcing a regular supply. Our residents are also fund-raising and asking people to sponsor their lap of the garden.

The first week’s supply of 10,000 masks was secured by two generous donations: from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dr John Sheehan, a GP in Cork, and Mark Whitaker, CEO of Johnson and Perrott Motor Group.

St Luke’s Home, CEO, Tony O’Brien takes delivery of 5000 masks donated by Johnson and Perrott Motor Group in Cork.

The residents of Saint Luke’s Home are also fund-raising for this and are asking people to sponsor them for their laps of the garden of the Home. You can donate HERE

On Wednesday evening 22nd April the Lord Mayor, Cllr Dr John Sheehan himself delivered a gift of 5,000 masks and he was received by Eileen O’Keeffe, one of the Clinical Nurse Managers at St Luke’s

On Thursday, 23rd April, Tony O’Brien took delivery of a gift of 5,000 masks donated by Johnson and Perrott Motor Group, sourced with the help of MG Cars in the United Kingdom.