About us - About AMS | Donegal Hospice | A message from our President
About AMS
The work of the Adrian Mitchell Society has touched a chord in people not only in Donegal, where we are based, but in Ireland generally and indeed further afield.
Our focus is on our young people, helping them to understand the hospice movement and to take an active interest in its work, perhaps sowing some seeds for their future years. For us, it’s about caring. We try to encourage them to have compassion and understanding for others, particularly those who suffer bereavement or become ill themselves.
The Society, a sub-committee of the Donegal Hospice, also tries to help the hospice in practical ways, through fund-raising and other initiatives. The Adrian Mitchell Society was formed at a meeting at Scoil Colmcille in Letterkenny, the school Adrian attended, on June 21st, 2001.
Adrian Mitchell was a little child from Letterkenny who showed great courage in his battle against his fatal illness. He helped to inspire the development of the hospice movement in Donegal.
Monies donated are given to benefit those being cared for and to improve the facilities for the patients, which is adhered by AMS. Donations should be made payable : The Adrian Mitchell Society.
Donegal Hospice
The official opening of the Donegal Hospice on Thursday, June 12th, 2003, was the culmination of years of commitment and effort by the hospice committee. The building also stands as tribute to the generosity of people in Donegal and supporters of the hospice around the world.
Almost €3m was raised for the building of the eight-bedded hospice, which also acts as a centre for the home care service. The fundraising has to continue to meet the heavy annual running costs of the service, despite financial help from the health service budget.
The hospice does great work for the terminally ill. This is the reward for those whose continuing dedication and generosity of spirit underpins the hospice movement in Donegal.
A message from our President
MOBILISING THE GENEROUS SPIRIT OF YOUTH
By our President, Dr James McDaid TD (Adrian Mitchell’s family doctor)
Dr. James Mc Daid TD, President of the Adrian Mitchell Society, pictured with Mary Kavanagh Chandler at the AMS annual dinner in Castle House outside Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
The decision to establish the Adrian Mitchell Society was a truly inspiring initiative. The memory of little Adrian's courage in his battle against his fatal illness became a catalyst for the development of the hospice movement in Donegal. His brave attitude in the face of severe pain served to imbue the hospice movement and its supporters with an even greater commitment to helping people in the twilight of their days.
I have always admired the special gift of caritas that seems to characterise so many of those actively working in hospice activities. There is a serenity and a quiet courage about the way they acknowledge the transitory nature of life and its inevitable end. That serenity enables them to give generously of themselves, of their time and of their sympathy in helping those approaching journey’s end.
The Adrian Mitchell Society aims to mobilise the generous spirit of youth in support of that humane and ennobling work. Young people, even those of quite tender years, are quick to recognise what is good and to act with wholehearted enthusiasm in support of worthy causes.
The Hospice Movement is based on a sense of fellowship, neighbourliness and human kindness. That is why the Adrian Mitchell Society is bound to draw a great response from people. I have no doubt that, with the always generous support of their teachers, the young people in the Society can, through activities like music, drawing, painting, sport, essays or short stories, help significantly in the Hospice movement's fund-raising efforts.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Adrian Mitchell's parents for their warmhearted gesture in allowing the society to carry his name.