-
-
Author: Our Reporter
~ 3 minutes read
A very substantial legacy, gifted by a philanthropic Tuam couple to Croí, is set to transform its work in the area of stroke prevention and post-hospital community support for those recovering from a stroke.
The legacy gift to the heart & stroke charity from the Joe & Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust of over €3m – made in memory of well-known Tuam business couple, the late Joe and Helen O’Toole – will fund what the charity has described as ‘transformational community projects’ aimed at preventing stroke and supporting stroke survivors.
Announcing details of how the legacy gift will be used, Croí CEO Neil Johnson outlined two separate but interconnected components to a major initiative which will literally save lives and greatly improve the quality of life for many stroke survivors and their families.
The money will be used to purchase and custom design of two mobile health units which will be used for early detection of stroke and cardiac risk in the community, but which can also be used as mobile community education and awareness centres as required.
The two units, an articulated truck and a large Mercedes van will be custom built and equipped to travel throughout the west of Ireland and indeed nationally. In addition to the vehicles the legacy fund will also help support staffing and running costs.
It will also help fund the construction of a new dedicated stroke building which will be connected by a link corridor to the main Croí Heart & Stroke Centre in Newcastle, Galway.
This new custom-built facility will be used to provide a stroke recovery day program for those recovering from stroke. The legacy fund will also support the appointment of specialist staff to develop and deliver this much needed service.
Additionally, the legacy will fund the purchase and custom design of a minibus to transport stroke survivors and their carer’s to and from the new Croí Stroke Hub. Full planning permission for this new development has already been granted and the construction of this new facility is expected to commence before Christmas this year.
Speaking at the launch of the first component of this legacy gift – a new Minibus – outgoing Croí CEO Neil Johnson spoke of what he called ‘this unbelievably generous and unexpected gift’.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime transformational donation which will allow Croí undertake lifesaving work in the community,” he said.
“This mobile health infrastructure will bring Croí to every corner of the west of Ireland, providing free assessment and early detection of stroke and cardiac risk which we know will save lives.
“The new Croí Stroke Hub will provide a much-needed community day program to support stroke survivors and their carer’s – currently no such facility exists in the west of Ireland. This building will be a living legacy to the memory and kindness of Joe and Helen O’Toole”.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Relief for commuters as Tuam Bypass to fully reopen Thursday morning
Commuters in Tuam will be breathing a sigh of relief with confirmation the Bypass will reopen ful...
City Councillor claims the new Corrib bridge is not a safe option for pedestrians and cyclists
A City Councillor claims the new Corrib bridge is not a safe option for pedestrians and cyclists ...
O’ Cuiv calls for all island residents to be given automatic medical card
Anyone who’s actually resident on one of Galway’s offshore islands should be automati...
Galway city councillor Clodagh Higgins elected to Fine Gael Executive Council
Galway City Councillor Clodagh Higgins has been elected to the Executive Council of Fine Gael. Th...
Galway Bay fm’s Ollie Turner raises awareness of Heart Failure after diagnosis
Galway Bay fm’s Ollie Turner is sharing his story of being diagnosed with Heart Failure to ...
City Councillor questions effectiveness of electronic speed signs
A city councillor is not convinced electronic speed signs have a positive impact on driver behavi...
Local TD among those calling for end to mean-test scheme for Family Carers allowance
Local TD Denis Naughten, alongside the Regional Group of TDs, is calling for an end to the means-...
Local councillor confirms Tuam bypass will temporarily reopen for rush-hour traffic this evening
A local councillor has confirmed the Tuam bypass will reopen for rush-hour traffic this evening. ...
Big turnout for city meeting on housing
The turnout at a public information meeting held in Galway recently, focused on housing grants an...