Council makes £110k pledge to NI Hospice

Mayor Fraser Agnew and council chief executive, Jacqui Dixon joined NI Hospice chief executive, Professor Dame Judith Hill at Somerton House last week to show their support for the charity’s plan to build a new state-of-the-art hospice.

The council has agreed to make a financial contribution of £55,000 per annum to the Redevelopment Fund for the next two years - a cash boost that will help the Hospice provide a new in-patient unit, day hospice and an education and research centre at its north Belfast site.

“As a council we place tremendous value on the services and facilities provided by the NI Hospice and the plans at Somerton House will help to further improve these services,” Alderman Agnew said.

“We are delighted to support this redevelopment, which will enhance the care provided to patients and families at such a difficult time. This visit has brought to life the plans in place for what will certainly become a first class facility for thousands of terminally ill patients.”

Welcoming the council’s financial contribution, Professor Hill commented: “This significant funding for Northern Ireland Hospice will help to build a legacy of hospice care and to make the vision for a new hospice a reality. We are very grateful to Newtownabbey Borough Council for generously supporting our campaign.”