Trinity Med Day, Ireland’s leading annual college charity fundraising event, will team up with broadcaster George Hook to raise much-needed funds for Stroke Services at St James’ Hospital as well as a host of Dublin based mental health groups, this Friday, November 6.
Last year, the Trinity Med Day helped raise over €60,000 and this coming Friday, around 600 students will take to the streets in a bid to top that figure.
Having suffered from depression, George Hook is passionately speaking up once more for an issue he feels Ireland still neglects. “Mental health is an issue that has always been hidden away in Ireland. I want it out front and centre and that’s why I’ve become involved in Trinity Med Day 2009.”
With the generous support of Pfizer Ireland, organisers will also provide free health screenings on the city centre campus as well as a host of other fun events while FM104’s Roadhog will be on hand to provide the entertainment.
Teaming up with George Hook is one of Ireland’s leading stroke consultants Dr Joe Harbison who underlined the importance of fundraising to medical services in these difficult economic times.
“We are delighted to have the support of Trinity Med Day” said Dr Harbison. “Stroke is the most common cause of severe physical disability among adults in Ireland. It will affect one in five of us in our lifetime and on any day of the year we care for about 50 people with stroke in St James’s Hospital. With these funds raised by the students, we will be in a position to purchase valuable equipment which will enable us to care for these patients with safety, dignity and comfort, improving all outcomes.”
The south Dublin Mental Health service and the Trinity Access program which aims to ensure a significant increase in participation at third level of those who for social, economic and educational reasons who have not yet realised their full educational potential, will also benefit from the monies raised.
Since the inaugural Trinity Med Day in 2002, students from Trinity College have helped raise over €400,000, making it one of the most significant single fundraising days in the calendar. “We are really looking forward to an action packed Med Day this year” says Med Day Chairperson Michael Durand, “one that brings the entire medical student body together and gives us an opportunity to help the patients that we learn so much from.”
To support Trinity Med Day 2009 log on to www.tcdmedday.com to make an online donation or keep an eye out for the students in their green Med Day t-shirts as they take to the streets next Friday.
For further media information or to schedule an interview with Dr Joe Harbison or George Hook in relation to Trinity Med Day 2009, please contact: Cathy Cowan on 086 3190131 or Aoife Horgan on 087 9911893
