She added: “I’m also delighted to be supporting a young, local Ballymena charity which is working tirelessly to improve the lives of children and teenagers, as well as their families,” she said. “The dress-down day was a bit of fun, but also inspired staff to contribute to BraveheartsNI,” Cllr Wales concluded. BraveheartsNI Charity Leader, Clare Caulfield, said: “Approximately 300 children in Northern Ireland are born every year with a heart condition, and around half will need intervention or surgery. “We call them ‘Bravehearts’ to reflect the courage that these young children and teenagers show every day. The charity was set up two years ago primarily to provide both pastoral and financial support to teenage and young adult patients and their families, we also offer resource support for the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease Department in Belfast, as well as financial support and assistance where possible.”
