A mysterious benefactor has given a €1 million donation to build a hospice in Co Wicklow.
The identity of the giver is known to the Wicklow Hospice Foundation but is being kept a closely guarded secret to the extent that no information, not even the gender of the person involved, their nationality or their link with Wicklow is being revealed.
"I can't get into twenty questions. The number of people who has this kind of money in the country at the moment is so small that you could very quickly arrive at a point where you might know the person involved," said foundation chairman Dr. Brendan Cuddihy.
"It's a very generous person who has access to these kind of funds who believes in the need for a hospice and believes in the need for one in Wicklow."
Dr Cuddihy said they were aware that the person involved wanted to make a substantial donation to build a hospice but they were "amazed and delighted" when €1 million arrived in the foundation's bank account last week.
Locals needs to raise €3 million towards the cost of a 12 bedroom hospice for Co Wicklow which is estimated will cost €15 million. The rest will be provided by the State.
The aim is for a consultant-led specialist service with a multi-disciplinary home care team attached and should also include a day centre. This hospice should be built in such a way as to enable future expansion.
Dr Cuddihy said the donation means the foundation is half-way towards its fundraising target and would hasten the day that they could go to the HSE for the rest of the funding.
They also have received a donation of a site by the Colomban sisters south of Wicklow town.
He was now confident that the building of the hospice could happen within two to three years as a result of the donation.
Dr Cuddihy said the building of the hospice will save the State money in the long-term as keeping dying patients in hospices is a more cost-efficient option than hospitals.
It is in keeping with the HSE and Department of Health policy on palliative care services, he added.
