The draw to select the winners in our Spring 2010 raffle took place in our offices on Wed. 9th June, in the presence of our auditors and a representative of An Garda Siochana. We are delighted to announce the winners, as follows:

•  First Prize, €2,500  -  Helen Toft, Co. Wexford
• Second Prize, €1,000  -  Cathal Mahon, Co. Offaly
• Third Prize, €500  -  Kevin Murray, Dublin 16
• Seller's Prize, €500  -  Terence Kelly, Co. Kilkenny

 All winners have been contacted and the results will also appear in the Evening Herald on Saturday, 12th June.

Warmest thanks to everyone who took part by selling and/or buying tickets.

Our work would not be possible without your generosity.

The proceeds from the raffle will go to our Children's Hospice Home Care Programme - details below.

In Ireland today, there are an estimated 1,369 children living with a life-limiting illness such as cancer.

Somewhere between 354 and 398 children die each year.

The Irish Hospice Foundation is embarking on a major programme in partnership with the HSE to develop a Children's Hospice Home Care Service.

Our aim is to introduce a comprehensive home care programme that will have at its core a network of children's outreach nurses. These nurses will liaise with other professionals and services to ensure that very sick children can spend their final days at home surrounded by family and friends.

This programme also includes:

• training in paediatric palliative care for healthcare professionals;
• the appointment of Ireland's first paediatric palliative care consultant; and
• the development of a comprehensive register of children with life-limiting illnesses in order to facilitate appropriate service provision.

Over the next three years, we need to raise €3m to fund this programme.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!