NICHS appoints new manager in Londonderry

Tom will manage all of the charities services, support groups and fundraising activities in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area.

Tom said: "I am excited to be working in my local area providing services which can make a difference to the quality of life of so many people. This is a great job to be involved in the valuable work of NI Chest Heart and Stroke in Londonderry. These illnesses are the biggest killers in Northern Ireland and everyone knows somebody in their family or a friend who has been affected in some way."

Tom McElhinney, originally from Londonderry, previously worked in Community Regeneration and Development work with Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships in both Belfast and the North West. Tom's main background is in sales, marketing and operational management, he has an MBA from the University of Ulster and originally worked for 25 years in the Financial Services Sector in Edinburgh and Belfast.

He said: "If anyone wants to raise money for NI Chest Heart and Stroke or volunteer for one of our local support groups then please get in touch. We also need volunteers for our local fundraising groups, so if you want to get involved and give something back to your community, give us a call. As a local charity all money raised locally supports services to help people in Northern Ireland, so any donations made will stay in the community"

NI Chest Heart and Stroke have a range of services in Londonderry such as the Foyle Stroke Scheme, Young Stroke Group and a Respiratory Support Group.

Cardiovascular disease is the largest single cause of death in Northern Ireland. Stroke kills over 1,300 people each year and is the largest single cause of disability in our community and that disability is often long-term. Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke is a local charity and needs to raise 1.8m every year to fund a range of programmes, community services and research in the hospitals and universities of Northern Ireland.

If you want more information on supporting NICHS or using the charities services then call the NICHS North West Office on 028 7131 1114 or email Tom McElhinney on [email protected] .