Tipperary lady honoured at Mercy Stars Awards
Máire Wixtead’s Garville Gardens are a passion project, and a shared vision of Máire and her late husband Seán
Upperchurch lady Máire Wixtead was among the recipients at the recent Mercy Stars Awards, who was commended for her work with Garville Gardens.
Ms Wixtead shared her passion and gift for gardening, developing Garville Gardens. The gardens are a passion project and shared vision of Máire and her late husband Seán, and she regularly opens the gardens to the public to raise funds for Mercy University Hospital, with her fundraising particularly focused on supporting research into myelofibrosis and improving outcomes for patients with rare blood cancers.
She was among individuals and community groups who were honoured by the Mercy University Hospital and The Mercy Foundation, commended their “extraordinary dedication and commitment that has made a lasting difference to patients and their families across the region.”.
Their stories of compassion, dedication, and teamwork took centre stage at the annual Mercy Stars on Friday, September 11 at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
Speaking at the event, Rachel Stevenson, CEO of The Mercy Foundation, said “We are incredibly proud to recognise our hospital teams, whose compassion, professionalism and dedication make such a difference to patients and their families every day. Mercy Stars is about saying thank you to all of these people and celebrating the community of staff, volunteers, fundraisers and supporters who are at the heart of ‘The Mercy’ family.”
“Behind every donation, fundraising event, and campaign is a personal story and a real commitment to making a difference. Whether it is the Giving for Living Radiothon, opening a garden to support research, or simply turning up year after year to support ‘The Mercy’, these fundraisers make an enormous contribution to the care and services provided at Mercy University Hospital.