ART AUCTION RAISES �153,000 FOR COUNTY HOSPITAL
Art Auction raises �153,000 for County Hospital
BY: ROSETTA DONNELLY
Prince Charles' painting sold for �53,000
TYRONE County Hospital received an enormous boost this week with the donation of a cheque for �153,000 - the proceeds of an art auction in Dublin.
The shot in the arm was just what the doctor ordered for this hospital which has become accustomed over the years to having money and resources taken away rather than given. The money raised from the auction is for the purchase of equipment to aid the recovery of those injured in the bomb.
The generosity of people throughout Ireland and Europe who participated in the Dublin art auction, delighted not just staff at the hospital, but the people of Omagh as well.
The art auction in the National Concert Hall last Wednesday included 250 paintings by famous artists, and had as its piece de resistance a painting by Prince Charles. The painting fetched the princely sum of �53,000, which was paid by a director of Unislim company, Agnes McCourt.
Another work-of-art by famous artist, Lois le Brocque raises �20,000 and afterwards the art house presented the Tyrone County Hospital with a framed and signed print of the painting.
Representing Omagh at the prestigious event were two members of staff from the Tyrone County Hospital, and members of the Omawest Community Group, with whom the Dublin art house liaised during the preparations for the international auction.
The local people were overwhelmed with the reception which they received in Dublin and said the red carpet was rolled out by the art house to make them feel at home.
Superintendent Physiotherapist, Joan Colhoun and Intensive Care Sister, Sarah Fisher represented the hospital.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Colhoun said she was amazed at the depth of feeling that there is for Omagh in the hearts of the people down South and in the capital. She said it was wonderful and soothing to know that people outside of this community care enough to raise money in such a tangible way.
At the close of the auction last week, the figure raised was �153,000, but it is felt that this will increase over the next week or so.
The organisers of the auction, Fergus Ahern, an accountant from Boyle, and John de Vere White who runs de Veres Art Auctions in Dublin, are to come to Omagh very shortly to present the cheque to the hospital.
Two local artists who presented their paintings to the auction received admirable sums for them. Liam Brogan's lovely painting was quickly snapped up at �350 while Colm McCrory's scenic piece fetched �750.
The other artists' works received various amounts with bidding fast and furious and lasting no more than one or two minutes. Bids were came by phone from right across the country and further afield.
The inclusion of Prince Charles' painting caused quite a stir with bidders frantically trying to outwit their opponents and get their hands on this exclusive art piece.
This was the first time that the Prince has actually donated one of his paintings so it was quite a coup for the auction house to secure one for the Omagh fundraising event.
Perhaps it was the Prince's visit to the town in the aftermath of the bomb when he saw at first hand what the hospital had to cope with, and the awful injuries which the victims of the bomb had inflicted upon them, that inspired him to donate his painting.
Whatever the reason, it was much appreciated and the money on his painting alone is enough to buy a top quality computerised machine which can be used in the Physiotherapy department.
When the idea for the art auction in aid of Omagh was mooted, the organisers wanted the money to be used right away and they contacted the community group, Omawest to seek advice on where best the money could be donated.
It was felt that the Tyrone County Hospital, which has borne the brunt of the bomb, and which has been under resourced for some time, would be most in need.
Staff at the hospital were asked to consider what equipment could be bought that would benefit the bomb victims and ease or speed up their recovery process.
It was decided by the hospital that the money would be divided between Intensive Care and Physiotherapy.
Sr Sarah Fisher of the Intensive Care department said the money will be used for various pieces of equipment for the monitoring of patients. She said the machinery is vital for the work in the ICU.
Sr Fisher was one of the nurses who was on duty the day of the bomb and with her colleagues worked through "unforgettable scenes" to deal with the hundreds of injured.
She said that she will never be able to forget the sights which she saw that day, and added that they only got through by going into automatic pilot. "I will never forget what I saw and how I felt that day. None of us will. The unforgettable scenes will remain with us forever".
Sr Fisher said that counselling is still available for staff and some are availing of this to help them through. She said that during the worst moments, staff were very supportive of each other.
She added that the hospital as a unit will never get over the bomb, and feels that this is also true for the people of Omagh. "It has left its mark which will remain forever".
Sr Fisher expressed her deep appreciation to the people who have remembered Omagh through kind thoughts words and deeds. She said the art auction was a wonderful event of which she was very glad to be a part.
She also thanked the Omawest community group for "thinking about the hospital" when contacted by the auction house from Dublin.
"Omawest has always been very supportive of the hospital, and when approached by the auction house about a fundraising venture, the group said the most worthy candidate for the money would be the County hospital. We all are very grateful to the local group" said Sr Fisher.
BY: ROSETTA DONNELLY
Prince Charles' painting sold for �53,000
TYRONE County Hospital received an enormous boost this week with the donation of a cheque for �153,000 - the proceeds of an art auction in Dublin.
The shot in the arm was just what the doctor ordered for this hospital which has become accustomed over the years to having money and resources taken away rather than given. The money raised from the auction is for the purchase of equipment to aid the recovery of those injured in the bomb.
The generosity of people throughout Ireland and Europe who participated in the Dublin art auction, delighted not just staff at the hospital, but the people of Omagh as well.
The art auction in the National Concert Hall last Wednesday included 250 paintings by famous artists, and had as its piece de resistance a painting by Prince Charles. The painting fetched the princely sum of �53,000, which was paid by a director of Unislim company, Agnes McCourt.
Another work-of-art by famous artist, Lois le Brocque raises �20,000 and afterwards the art house presented the Tyrone County Hospital with a framed and signed print of the painting.
Representing Omagh at the prestigious event were two members of staff from the Tyrone County Hospital, and members of the Omawest Community Group, with whom the Dublin art house liaised during the preparations for the international auction.
The local people were overwhelmed with the reception which they received in Dublin and said the red carpet was rolled out by the art house to make them feel at home.
Superintendent Physiotherapist, Joan Colhoun and Intensive Care Sister, Sarah Fisher represented the hospital.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Colhoun said she was amazed at the depth of feeling that there is for Omagh in the hearts of the people down South and in the capital. She said it was wonderful and soothing to know that people outside of this community care enough to raise money in such a tangible way.
At the close of the auction last week, the figure raised was �153,000, but it is felt that this will increase over the next week or so.
The organisers of the auction, Fergus Ahern, an accountant from Boyle, and John de Vere White who runs de Veres Art Auctions in Dublin, are to come to Omagh very shortly to present the cheque to the hospital.
Two local artists who presented their paintings to the auction received admirable sums for them. Liam Brogan's lovely painting was quickly snapped up at �350 while Colm McCrory's scenic piece fetched �750.
The other artists' works received various amounts with bidding fast and furious and lasting no more than one or two minutes. Bids were came by phone from right across the country and further afield.
The inclusion of Prince Charles' painting caused quite a stir with bidders frantically trying to outwit their opponents and get their hands on this exclusive art piece.
This was the first time that the Prince has actually donated one of his paintings so it was quite a coup for the auction house to secure one for the Omagh fundraising event.
Perhaps it was the Prince's visit to the town in the aftermath of the bomb when he saw at first hand what the hospital had to cope with, and the awful injuries which the victims of the bomb had inflicted upon them, that inspired him to donate his painting.
Whatever the reason, it was much appreciated and the money on his painting alone is enough to buy a top quality computerised machine which can be used in the Physiotherapy department.
When the idea for the art auction in aid of Omagh was mooted, the organisers wanted the money to be used right away and they contacted the community group, Omawest to seek advice on where best the money could be donated.
It was felt that the Tyrone County Hospital, which has borne the brunt of the bomb, and which has been under resourced for some time, would be most in need.
Staff at the hospital were asked to consider what equipment could be bought that would benefit the bomb victims and ease or speed up their recovery process.
It was decided by the hospital that the money would be divided between Intensive Care and Physiotherapy.
Sr Sarah Fisher of the Intensive Care department said the money will be used for various pieces of equipment for the monitoring of patients. She said the machinery is vital for the work in the ICU.
Sr Fisher was one of the nurses who was on duty the day of the bomb and with her colleagues worked through "unforgettable scenes" to deal with the hundreds of injured.
She said that she will never be able to forget the sights which she saw that day, and added that they only got through by going into automatic pilot. "I will never forget what I saw and how I felt that day. None of us will. The unforgettable scenes will remain with us forever".
Sr Fisher said that counselling is still available for staff and some are availing of this to help them through. She said that during the worst moments, staff were very supportive of each other.
She added that the hospital as a unit will never get over the bomb, and feels that this is also true for the people of Omagh. "It has left its mark which will remain forever".
Sr Fisher expressed her deep appreciation to the people who have remembered Omagh through kind thoughts words and deeds. She said the art auction was a wonderful event of which she was very glad to be a part.
She also thanked the Omawest community group for "thinking about the hospital" when contacted by the auction house from Dublin.
"Omawest has always been very supportive of the hospital, and when approached by the auction house about a fundraising venture, the group said the most worthy candidate for the money would be the County hospital. We all are very grateful to the local group" said Sr Fisher.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0133
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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