BREAKING: New premises for Kilkenny Cancer Support Centre Cois Nore
A campaign will take place to raise €2million to fund the project
Local community cancer support charity Cois Nore has received a major boost to their ambition to move to a bigger premises close to Kilkenny’s Ring Road, providing improved countywide access.
Kilkenny County Council have granted permission subject to seven conditions, for the redevelopment of Lilac Lodge on the Waterford Road, into a modern accessible cancer support facility providing individual and group meeting rooms, a drop-in centre and a coffee dock.
Cois Nore’s own research over the past few years concluded that services being provided now and into the future requires a move to a bigger premises. After considering a number of options, the Board of Cois Nore decided to commit to the purchase of Lilac Lodge, on the Waterford Road, subject to planning approval. All going well a final grant of permission will issue in four weeks, after the expiry of the statutory appeal period.
Chairman of Cois Nore Bill Cuddihy said he was delighted that the plans can now progress to the next stage.
“When Cois Nore moves to a centre that can meet all our needs, the community can be confident that all families coping with a cancer diagnosis will find the support, empowerment and respect they deserve within their own county. They will be in a comfortable, dedicated space where their vulnerability and dignity will be protected and where they can feel safe”.
Mary Dolan, Centre Manager also welcomed the news.
“Individuals and families will be supported to take back control of their lives, recovering and rebuilding all areas of their lives that were impacted by cancer. In turn, the community can rest assured that they have looked after their own, ensuring that county Kilkenny continues to be a kind, caring, vibrant community in which to live”.
In order to fund the project a massive fundraising drive will get underway over the coming weeks.
Chairman of Cois Nore, Bill Cuddihy said he hopes the fundraising campaign will meet its target.
“While this notification of a decision to grant permission is a huge boost, we now have to grapple with the task of fundraising to ensure that our dream of a new home becomes a reality. We know that Kilkenny people are generous and we hope that by providing a fit for purpose local centre where people can avail of free professional services, we will be able to harness that goodwill and achieve our ambitious target to raise €2m over the next two years," said Mr Cuddihy.
The fundraising campaign hopes to harness the existing goodwill towards Cois Nore by asking people to consider a tax efficient way of expressing support for cancer care in Kilkenny – by giving the Gift of Care.
Cois Nore are currently located in Walkin Street in Kilkenny, which is kindly provided rent free by the Cody family who run local print business Modern Printers.
For more see next week's Kilkenny People.