FORT WAYNE METALS NAMES SUNFLOWER CHILDREN’S HOSPICE AS 2026 CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Fort Wayne Metals has announced Sunflower Children’s Hospice as its Charity of the Year for 2026, in partnership with the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
This collaboration will support the development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice—the first dedicated children’s hospice serving the Western Seaboard of Ireland.
From left Anna Connolly, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Irene Joyce, Fort Wayne Metals, Martina Jennings, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Richard Bonner, Fort Wayne Metals, Audrey Duffy, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Anthony Mc Hale, Fort Wayne Metals, Gail Campbell, Fort Wayne Metals.
Photo Conor McKeown
Supporting Children’s Palliative Care in the West of Ireland
Funds raised through the partnership will contribute to building a specialist facility providing palliative and respite care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
The hospice will also deliver essential emotional, practical, and bereavement support for families across eight counties in the west of Ireland.
Fort Wayne Metals Ireland Team, pictured L-R (front): Jean Marc Neyret, Irene Joyce, Gail Campbell, Anthony Mc Hale; L-R (back): Padraig Lennon, Richard Bonner, Chris Sweeney, John Carney.
Pic Conor McKeown
State-of-the-Art Hospice Facility Planned
The eight-bed Sunflower Children’s Hospice will be designed to meet the complex needs of children and their families, featuring:
Family accommodation
Hydrotherapy facilities
Play therapy and sensory rooms
Private garden access for each room
On-site multidisciplinary medical teams
Construction of the new hospice is expected to begin in late 2026.
Fort Wayne Metals’ Commitment to Community Impact
Based in Castlebar, Fort Wayne Metals has operated in the region for over 20 years and is a global leader in precision wire-based materials used in medical devices.
The company selected the Sunflower Children’s Hospice following an employee-led nomination and voting process.
Carmel Keane, Head of HR at Fort Wayne Metals, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice as our Charity of the Year for 2026. Our employees felt a strong connection to this project and the vital care it will provide to children and families across the West of Ireland.
This partnership gives our team a meaningful opportunity to come together, fundraise, and make a real difference in our community.”
Fort Wayne Metals Ireland Team together with Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and Audrey Duffy, Corporate Partnerships Officer, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
Photo Conor McKeown
Partnership Welcomed by Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation
Martina Jennings welcomed the announcement:
“We are deeply grateful to Fort Wayne Metals for choosing Sunflower Children’s Hospice as their Charity of the Year. This partnership is particularly meaningful as it reflects shared values of community, compassion, and care.
Support like this plays a vital role in helping us bring this long-awaited children’s hospice to life for families across the Western Seaboard.”
A Legacy of Hospice Care in Mayo and Roscommon
For over 30 years, the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has provided palliative care services to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Mayo and Roscommon.
To date, specialist palliative care teams have supported more than 25,000 patients and their families. Both Mayo Hospice and Roscommon Hospice were developed entirely through fundraising, with a combined investment of over €15 million—demonstrating strong community support across the region.
Supporting the Sunflower Children’s Hospice
The development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice represents a major step forward in children’s palliative care in Ireland.
To support the project or learn more, visit the official Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation website. www.hospice.ie
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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
Email: michael@irishconstruction.com WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE