An entire school has rowed in behind two brave young Galway sisters, who know first-hand the great work done by Galway Hospice – because of the help they received when their dad was dying of cancer.

Sofia and Shauna Cahill have already reciprocated that support – because last year they arranged for all of their friends in Kilglass National School, Ahascragh, to wear yellow for Hospice Sunflower Days and raised over €1,000. And this year the duo have again enlisted the support of their schoolmates to make a difference during this year’s Sunflower Days.

Sofia and Shauna have a special connection to Galway Hospice as their dad, John, sadly passed away there in 2020. But the family received fantastic support from the Hospice during John’s final days – and afterwards during the grieving process.

Galway Hospice’s Principal Medical Social Worker Caroline Quinn was described by the girls’ mum, Louise, as a ‘guardian angel’ to the sisters – especially during those first few months after John’s passing.

And that’s why they officially launched this Hospice Sunflower Days at their school – in front of proud teachers and fellow students – on Monday.

The Sunflower Days are returning for its 33rd year this June with the on-street collection taking place in towns and villages throughout the county on Friday and Saturday week, June 9 and 10.

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.