Kennedy’s Pharmacy donation to local branch of Breathe Easy

Patrick explained; “We are often asked to countersign Passport and Driving Licence applications and although we do not make a charge for this, we collect any donations offered to give to a chosen charity each year. Most people do offer a small donation and these mount up over the year.

“Until a few years ago, we also gave Christmas presents of biscuits or chocolates to business customers and working contacts. We realised that many workplaces had a mountain of biscuits and sweets in their tea-room at the start of every New Year, at the very time when people were trying to turn over a new leaf with regard to their eating habits.

“Therefore we decided to stop this practice and to also give this money to charity. We then totalled these monies and rounded it up to reach the grand total this year of £400.00. Each year we choose a different charity and this year we have chosen the very worthy charity, Breathe Easy Causeway”.

The British Lung Foundation provides support to over 20,000 people living with lung disease, carers and family through the Breathe Easy Club. Breathe Easy Causeway is the local lung support group which was set up in 2001 to support people and their carers living with lung disease. The group provides mutual support by sharing experiences with people in similar circumstances. This is the longest established Breathe Easy Group in Ireland.

The group meet on the first Thursday of each month from 7.00pm to 9.00pm in the lecture theatre of the Multi Disciplinary Education Centre in the Causeway Hospital. Each meeting starts with 15 minutes of Pilates exercise to help improve respiratory lung function.

The group can provide you with information to help improve your understanding of your lung condition; they are supported by local health care professionals who offer advice on drugs management, improved breathing techniques, aids to improve quality of life and healthy eating.

Nessie continued: “We are delighted to accept this donation from Kennedy’s Pharmacy and thank the pharmacy staff for raising such a tremendous amount. In my role as Development Officer for the British Lung Foundation in Northern Ireland, I know the excellent service that Breathe Easy Causeway offer and this money will help towards funding their many activities.

“The group have guest speakers, organised coach trips and social events. I would encourage people with lung disease to come along to the Breathe Easy Causeway group, have a cup of tea and a chat with our members who are very willing to share their life changing experiences.”

For further information, contact: Nessie Blair, Development Officer, BLF, Northern Ireland 07902 044363 or Patrick Kennedy or Julie Ritchie, Kennedy’s Pharmacy, Rasharkin 295 71124 or Aileen Collins, Kennedy’s Pharmacy, Dunloy 276 57803.