Choice Housing fundraising partnership raises £8k for Cancer Fund for Children and Air Ambulance

The housing association announced their partnership with the charities in 2022 and will split the total amount between the two organisations.

Each year, Choice staff nominate two local charities to support for one year, with the Fundraising Committee organising a busy calendar of events aimed at raising much-needed funds and involving staff teams in a range of initiatives.

Choice have 536 properties in the Mid and East Antrim area, and 309 properties in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area.

Julie Dineen, Chair of Choice Fundraising Committee, said, “With the ongoing cost of living crisis and the impact of the pandemic, local charities are struggling to maintain a range of their vital support services, relying more on fundraising efforts from individuals and businesses to help them sustain their support provision.

“We also recognise that families and individuals are equally struggling with the cost of living and there is less disposable income available that would normally go to things like donations to charities that are important to them.

“Our Fundraising Committee looked to organise engaging events and initiatives that encouraged donations whilst also creating experiences. Partnerships with charities is an important element of Choice’s commitment to supporting local communities across Northern Ireland.”

The charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland.

Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £2.5 million each year to maintain and sustain this service and therefore public donations are crucial.

Grace Williams from Air Ambulance added, “We are so grateful to the team at Choice for their incredible support throughout 2022.

“The funds raised will help the medical team lift off by helicopter to reach future patients, wherever that may be in Northern Ireland. This is very much a service that no one wishes to need but is there for every one of us.

“As a service we rely heavily on charitable donations to keep the medical team in the air, delivering critical care to patients who have suffered trauma throughout Northern Ireland – without this type of support, the team simply couldn’t fly. Every single penny counts.”

Cancer Fund for Children works to empower, connect, and strengthen children, young people and families impacted by cancer. They offer informal emotional, social, and therapeutic support in the home, on the hospital ward, and at Daisy Lodge – its therapeutic short break centre.

Cancer Fund for Children supports over 1500 young people and 500 families every year.

Jordana Stoney-Wilson from the charity said, “Throughout the partnership, the team at Choice have gone above and beyond for Cancer Fund for Children. Thank you so much to all the team for their support in helping us ensure no child has to face cancer alone.”

Examples of some of the activity undertaken include raffles, pound for pound challenge, marathon relay teams, walk to work, cold water dips and a sunrise climb at Divis Mountain.

Throughout the year, staff donate £2 per month in non-uniform money, raising over £2000.