Curtain comes down on successful summer for cancer charity

Earlier this year you may have read that Rasharkin Teenager Aaron Henderson, who lost his granny, Mary Henderson, in January of this year, applied and was awarded over 2000.00 to help the charity set up a youth programme which has been named Aileen's Squad.

The programme was of great success as outgoing chairperson Odhrn Darragh explains: “We were delighted to work with Aaron on his mission to help young people affected by cancer.

“We held several gatherings and young people were quick and excited to sign up. We ook young people with cancer, whose parents/grandparents have/had cancer and those who lost loved ones with the disease.

“Some parents have said that they noticed their children reponding better following the programme which got young people from mainly the local community in Rasharkin together which is always great to hear, the young people mixed very quickly and bonded and notibly the programme also allowed parents and grandparents to mix with people who have shared similar experiences. We held trips to Coleraine Cinema, to Rathlin Island and to Lowden Castle in Scotland!

“The children also wanted to meet and do arts and crafts programmes."

Secretary Moira Brennan also commented on the success: "We are extremely thankful to The Big Deal who awarded Aaron over 2000 and to parents, grandparents who supported us throughout. We did run over budget unfortunately which has put strain on the charity but we are determined to keep the hard work going!

“The Young People want the programme to continue and have already expressed interest in holding a Christmas event in Rasharkin to bring the community together, we hope to hold some fundraising events to try and support the children and to support other people of all ages who are battling this disease."

Odhran concluded: "Recently Rasharkin has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, we hope that the work these children have been putting into our charity can be reflected as something posiitive coming out of Rasharkin!"

Anyone wishing to support the young people and the cancer charity can send donations to The Aileen McCann Foundation, 4 Orangefield Place, Rasharkin, Ballymena, BT448QE. Or call 02829571656 / 07999304445. Every penny donated really does go along way to helping local people in North Antrim And Causeway!