
These Cork ‘plastic fans' are cheering up the CUH ahead of Sunday's final
Televisions, remote controls, dummies for babies, headphones for children with noise sensitivity, even table fans to help combat the recent spell of hot weather, 'The Johnnies' now have their own custom, clean, branded bottle bins, and a separate area in the hospital's yard, where we chat about their latest spend.
'I love hurling, I used play with 'The Barrs' (St Finbarr's Hurling Club in Togher). We were in the hospital during the week and talking about the match, so I said to John Keenan, 'why don't we get some bunting'.
'I had seen a fella selling it on the side of the street a few days ago, so I said, 'why don't we get some for the wards?'. We put it up around the kids wards in Safari, Ladybird, our colleague Mary Coleman did the kids A&E and did a fantastic job, and it just totally brightens up the place for the kids.'
The pair, along with Operations Manager Brendan O'Reilly, show me around the various wards where Cork flags and red-and-white bunting hang proudly, bringing a bit of Croke Park to the CUH.
'We spent about €900 between flags and bunting. My sister Eileen works in Cummins' Sports and they have been very good to us,' John explains.
The Johnnies are like celebrities in the place. Porters, doctors, management, nurses, even patients stop and salute them for their work, which had originally started among the two lads and fellow porter John Lenihan to fund a Chinese Takeaway, (which, incidentally, they never got).
'We'd be up in the wards collecting and you can hear the patients say to their families, 'there's a box outside the door now there for The Johnnies', they're doing fantastic work so support them.
'Even when I'm outside the hospital, I have friends who say to me 'Johnny, I have a few bags at home for ya', and I'll call up and pick them up.'
As we enter the children's ward, a group of nurses give the two fundraisers and colleagues a big welcome, before graciously posing for a photo alongside one of the many Rebel flags dotted right across the hospital.
'When we thought of the bunting, it was an extra bit of work, but we got a great kick out of it. Down towards the A&E, especially the older people, they were really cheered up by it.
'There was a good few patients now starting to put up Tipperary colours on their own doors, so it's a good aul' laugh!'
However, John says after 14 months, the efforts are taking their toll on the two men.
'We don't want to give it up but we'd love for more people to come on board because every day we're at it. I'm just off nights this morning, and I'm supposed to be off for a week now, but I'm back and taking a bag over to my local SuperValu this evening,' John says.
'260,000 bottles is an awful lot, and it's non-stop. I'd almost be afraid of going home because I'd see the bottles more than I'd see the wife! And the car is destroyed! I put a few towels down to try and protect it, but that doesn't do much.
'I'd love if someone put their hand up to valet it for me!'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Strictly star slams ‘manipulative' TV industry after quitting fame for OnlyFans – and reveals family member's jibe
A FORMER Strictly star has branded the TV industry as 'manipulative' after quitting fame for OnlyFans. Advertisement 4 TV star John Whaite has competed in Strictly and Great British Bake Off Credit: PA 4 He danced with Johannes Radebe on Strictly Credit: PA 4 The star returned to OnlyFans earlier this year Credit: Instagram The 36-year-old later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as runner-up behind Speaking to The baker and presenter said: "I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast. "As soon as Strictly finishes, it's like, get out the hotel, get out the flat, go home, but that is a life- altering event for the individual who's been subject to the headlines, often at the hand of these shows, because these shows sometimes feed stories to the media. Advertisement Read more on Strictly "TV is manipulative and it's a distortion of truth, there's always an ulterior motive. "People aren't being fed the unadulterated, objective truth. And I certainly don't subscribe to that." Continuing, John recounted how he was "around 23" during his time on Bake Off. He recalled thinking his "existence hinged on being successful in television ." Advertisement Most read in News TV John added: "But I think when you go through all these different permutations of your life, you start to realise that the b******t just does not matter. "What actually matters is your health , your sanity, your loved ones, your family, be it biological or chosen." Strictly and OnlyFans star John Whaite opens up on health struggle, saying 'it makes life almost unbearable' Elsewhere in the interview, John revealed a family member had called him "disgusting" due to his OnlyFans content. The Sun previously revealed how he Advertisement The star had been posting a series of very explicit videos and images for his legion of subscribers on the adult-only website. Sources close to the star – who was paired with 'He's in amazing shape and is proud of how far he has come. 'He's says it really has nothing to do with money and it's not about helping fund his bakery business. Advertisement 'John doesn't care what anyone else thinks. "He's really happy with the content he is creating.' 4 John won The Great British Bake Off in 2012 Credit: BBC


The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Stony-faced John Torode, 60, breaks cover for first time since shock MasterChef sacking
JOHN Torode breaks cover for the first time since he was sacked from MasterChef. The chef was photographed at an organic food shop close to his home in north London, where he picked up ingredients for a meal for his 60th birthday. 4 John Torode has been photographed in public for the first time since his MasterChef sacking 4 The TV chef was seen looking stony-faced on a trip to the shops 4 John was photographed at an organic food shop close to his home in north London, picking up ingredients for a meal for his 60th birthday Pals said They added: 'John had a quiet birthday meal with Lisa and some friends. 'It's been an incredibly difficult time for him.' John cut a lonely figure as he was pictured shopping. READ MORE TV NEWS He was seen just over a week after the BBC confirmed they were His MasterChef co-star The probe Most read in News TV Gregg later released a statement and clarified that 'none of the serious allegations' made against him were upheld. He added: 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. 'It was never intended.' 4 John and co-host Gregg Wallace have both lost their jobs after the MasterChef scandal Credit: Handout Masterchef meltdown as BBC asked John Torode to RESIGN over 'racist remark' before Gregg Wallace sacking Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.


Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: The Feud, Gosford Park and Acapulco
The Feud Virgin Media One, 9pm Is John really having an affair with Sonia? An angry and worried Emma turns detective in an attempt to find out. Unforgivable BBC Two, 9pm Jimmy McGovern's latest issue-driven drama is a feature-length project set in his native Liverpool. The focus is on the Mitchell clan, who are struggling to come to terms with the fact a family member has committed an appalling act of abuse. Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin star. Listen to the Land Speak RTÉ One, 10.10pm In the concluding episode, Manchán Magan contemplates his battle with cancer, revealing how it has changed the way he sees such events and places as sacred oaks, wells, bogs and the Summer Solstice at Lough Gur. Gosford Park BBC Four, 9.15pm To celebrate her forthcoming 80th birthday, we're being treated to two Helen Mirren films. Before The Good Liar at 11.25pm, there's a chance to see this Oscar-winning all-star murder-mystery set in an English country house in the 1930s, written by Julian Downton Abbey Fellowes and directed by Robert Altman. Gladiator RTÉ2, 9.30pm Roman epic starring Russell Crowe as a former general who plots his revenge against the cruel emperor who killed his family and sold him into slavery. Critical: Between Life and Death Netflix, streaming now Imagine the stress of working in a trauma unit in a metropolis. Now, imagine your every move being recorded and uploaded to Netflix to be viewed by millions worldwide. No pressure… This fly-on-the-curtain six-parter brings viewers inside the world of emergency medicine in London, where a major trauma hits every hour. It offers an intimate portrait of the teams who must carry out life-and-death decisions, and the equally eye-watering level of logistics involved in shepherding severely injured people to the nearest hospital. If you're thinking, 'Isn't this just 24 hours in A&E?', it's produced by the very same people behind that award-winning show. This made-for-Netflix docuseries features exclusive access to London's Major Trauma System, with 40 cameras squirrelled away across four hospitals over three weeks. It goes beyond procedures to reveal the humanity behind bold interventions and the emotional drive of NHS staff. Not for the squeamish, obvs. Washington Black Disney+, streaming now If you already caught The Amateur (Rami Malek, Caitriona Balfe) in the cinema, Disney+ is also releasing a Hulu miniseries (based on the bestselling book of the same name) this week. Black, an 11-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, has a prodigious mind, propelling him on a global adventure that reshapes his understanding of family and freedom. Acapulco AppleTV+, streaming now If Foundation's OTT (yet stilted) performances are wearing thin, take heart — Acapulco embraces the ham with flair! In season four, present-day Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) races to revive Las Colinas ahead of its grand reopening, while in 1986, young Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) fights to reclaim the hotel's top spot. Trainwreck: P.I. Moms Netflix, streaming now This weekly episodic seems to have been going on forever, and I never want it to end. In 2010, Lifetime launched a reality show about soccer moms moonlighting as private investigators. As secrets surface and criminal accusations mount, both the show and its subjects spiral toward disaster. Amy Bradley is Missing Netflix, streaming now In 1998, Amy Bradley vanished from a cruise ship without a trace. Decades later, sightings and speculation still swirl. This three-parter explores this haunting cold case and her family's fight to bring her home. Krays: London Gangsters Prime Video, streaming now Twins Reggie and Ronnie ruled London's underworld for two decades — and had their story portrayed by the Kemps to boot. Through prison recordings, this documentary reveals the powerful bond behind their dubious legacy. Untamed Netflix, streaming now If you've already mainlined all three series of Sneaky Pete, it's OK — Netflix has teed up this new Eric Bana and Sam Neill (both looking suitably at home in rangers uniforms) vehicle for you. Set in Yosemite, the National Parks agents are caught between a brutal crime, the wilderness, and themselves. Ironically, in Trump's America, they'd have probably been laid off. Surf Girls: International Prime Video, streaming now From breakout star Ewe Wong to Olympian Sol Aguirre, follow four female surfing athletes as they face personal hurdles, cultural expectations, and fierce competition. Wall to Wall Netflix, streaming now Imagine saving enough to buy an apartment only to face financial ruin while sandwiched between mysteriously noisy floors. It's South Korean, so Woo-seong's neighbourinos could be anyone (or anything).