Dobson praises public for support

Supporting little Grace McKee's coffee morning for the Children's Heartbeat Trust were newly appointed Health Minister Jim Wells MLA, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, Grace's dad Aron McKee and Julie Flaherty.

And she said she hoped to meet with the new Health Minister, Jim Wells, who also attended the coffee morning, to discuss the matter.

She said: “Banbridge certainly came out in force to support little Grace McKee, her parents Judith and Aron and their friends and family as they fight to keep children’s heart surgery in Northern Ireland.”

“Together their hard work resulted in the magnificent sum of £3,800 being raised.

“The most powerful campaigns are led by families who are fighting for their children.

“I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the mummies and daddies as they campaign to keep children’s heart surgery in Northern Ireland.”

She added; “The new Health Minister Jim Wells, who joined us during the morning, told us all that I was the first to write to him on this issue and on behalf of my constituents to ask for a meeting which I hope will take place soon.

“Together we need to continue the campaign to keep surgery in Northern Ireland - avoiding arduous and potentially dangerous journeys to either Dublin or across to mainland UK.”