Roscommon woman praised by Hospice for wool donation fundraising campaign

The Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation has paid tribute to a Kilmore woman who has helped raise thousands of euro for the foundation, through a wool donation campaign.

Ann Sheridan, who organises the fundraiser with her family, recently presented the foundation with a cheque for €2,900, which included some private donations.

“We are delighted to receive such a generous donation from Ann on behalf of the wool producers again this year,” the hospice said. “They have been fantastic supporters of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, and without this support we couldn’t continue to fund, provide and develop palliative care services in our hospices and community.” 

Ann and her family have been organising the donation scheme since 2021, with the invaluable help of wool merchant P Coffey & Sons in Lecarrow. Since it was started, the campaign has raised approximately €10,000 for local palliative care services.

Speaking to the Herald, Ann thanked everyone for their donations and support, adding that in total 12 tonnes of wool were donated last year.

“I want to thank Patrick Coffey for his help, without him we couldn’t do this. We hold the wool in our yard for a short length of time and then we contact him and he comes and collects it,” she said. “In 2024, we had new farmers who came to us with donations. They pulled up saying ‘We’re looking for the Sheridan house’. It was great.” 

She added that donations came from the west coast, County Mayo, to the east coast, County Meath, “and everywhere in between”.

“People are so good,” said Ann.

While 2024 was not quite as wet as 2023, shearing sheep was a “smash and grab” operation, said Ann with a laugh.

“People know we cannot take wet wool, only fresh, clean wool can be accepted. Once the wool goes yellow, it can’t be dyed,” she explained.

“Because the weather has been so unpredictable, when you get a good day, you have a thousand jobs to do on the farm. And you have to prioritise.”