Aherne’s Londis Thurles complete Londis Irish Camino Challenge in support of nurses for night care
Thurles retailers join nationwide effort supporting Nurses for Night Care service
Aherne’s Londis Abbey Road and Aherne’s Londis Smith O’Brien Street in Thurles have taken part in the Londis Irish Camino Challenge, a national fundraising initiative in support of Irish Hospice Foundation and its Nurses for Night Care service.
The two Thurles stores joined 115 Londis retailers, staff, family members and friends from 42 stores nationwide in completing a 22km hike through Laragh and Glendalough, Co Wicklow earlier this month.
The challenge formed the centrepiece of a wider fundraising campaign across the Londis network, with stores engaging customers through iDonate pages, in-store donation buckets, QR code point-of-sale materials, and “Donate €1 at the till” initiatives.
Retailers across the Londis network also led a wide range of community‑driven initiatives, including coffee mornings, cycle challenges and creative in‑store fundraising activities, with strong support from customers, family members and friends across the country.
As part of its local fundraising efforts, Aherne’s Londis Abbey Road Thurles and Aherne’s Londis Smith O’Brien St, Thurles organised a Spinathon in both stores which received strong support from the local community and helped drive engagement for the
The 22km route began at Laragh GAA Club and concluded at Lynham’s of Laragh Hotel. The finish point provided an opportunity for retailers and participants to come together following the hike for a post‑challenge meal and refreshments, marking the collective achievement.
Londis has partnered with Irish Hospice Foundation since 2023, with the collaboration raising over €250,000 to date in support of services that provide vital care to families nationwide.
The Londis Irish Camino Challenge builds on this ongoing partnership, with funds raised supporting Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care service, which enables patients to remain at home, supported by expert nursing care, during their final days.
Commenting on the initiative, Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, said: “Supporting Irish Hospice Foundation is hugely important to our retailers, many of whom see first‑hand the impact of services like Nurses for Night Care in their own communities.
Coming together for this challenge was a powerful way to raise awareness and funds for a service that supports families right across Ireland. Completing the Londis Irish Camino Challenge was no small undertaking, and I’m incredibly proud of the 42 Londis retailers who took part in this challenge, along with their staff and local communities.”
Caroline O’Connell, Director of Fundraising at Irish Hospice Foundation, added: “The support shown by Londis retailers, their staff and local communities has been incredible and has a very real impact for families who rely on our Nurses for Night Care service.
Funds raised through initiatives like the Londis Irish Camino Challenge help ensure people at end of life and their families can receive expert, compassionate care at home at a time when it matters most, so we are sincerely grateful for the commitment shown across the Londis network.”
Irish Hospice Foundation is a national charity that addresses dying, death and bereavement in Ireland. Our vision is an Ireland where people facing end of life or bereavement, and those who care for them, are provided with the care and support that they need.
From advocacy and education to services such as Nurses for Night Care and our Bereavement Support Line, Irish Hospice Foundation believes in the importance of dying well and grieving well wherever the place. www.hospicefoundation.ie