Larne SPAR team 'Think Pink' for much loved colleague Nikole

Staff at SPAR Viking Lodge in Larne have held a 'Think Pink' fundraiser in support of a much loved colleague.
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When Nikole McIntyre was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in September 2020, she knew she could count on her fellow employees at the local branch to help her and others going through treatment.

The team created the Think Pink Month in store, organising various activities to raise funds. These included the Think Pink Day, which saw £50 Maxol vouchers raffled, to a sponsored walk organised by Nikole’s colleague Fiona McMurran.

In total, the inspiring team raised £800, £500 of which has been donated to Hope House Ireland in Islandmagee.

(Back row) Customer Advisors at SPAR Viking Lodge, Hannah Glass and Aaron Baxter with Post Office Manager, Adam McIlroy.  (Front row) SPAR Viking Lodge Customer Advisors Fiona McMurran and Nikole McIntyre with Founder of Hope House, Dawn McConnell.(Back row) Customer Advisors at SPAR Viking Lodge, Hannah Glass and Aaron Baxter with Post Office Manager, Adam McIlroy.  (Front row) SPAR Viking Lodge Customer Advisors Fiona McMurran and Nikole McIntyre with Founder of Hope House, Dawn McConnell.
(Back row) Customer Advisors at SPAR Viking Lodge, Hannah Glass and Aaron Baxter with Post Office Manager, Adam McIlroy. (Front row) SPAR Viking Lodge Customer Advisors Fiona McMurran and Nikole McIntyre with Founder of Hope House, Dawn McConnell.

Hope House provides rest and rehabilitation breaks for cancer patients and their families or carers.

The rest of the donations have gone towards helping Nikole with her post-surgery recovery.

Chris Currie, store manager said: “Nikole being diagnosed in the middle of a pandemic really brought home how important that extra care is for her and other patients, and I am just so proud of how the team has come together to achieve such a great result.

“Fiona has fibromyalgia, so to organise a sponsored walk along the coast to the shop is really inspiring. We are wishing Nikole well in her recovery and looking forward to welcoming her back to work when she can.”

Nikole added: “To know I had my team behind me has given me a boost and made me so determined to get back to work as soon as possible. So much has changed during my diagnosis but for my friends at work to help us financially, as well as donating to such an important facility as Hope House, has kept me positive.”

The team got together with Nikole recently to present the fundraising cheque to Dawn McConnell, founder of Hope House, outside the Viking Lodge store.

"We get blown away when people are able to go out of their way to fundraise for us, especially when it is difficult with restrictions," Dawn said.

"We rely on donations such as the teams to keep our facility running and provide that extra care cancer patients need for some rest and rehabilitation. We’re so grateful and wish Nikole all the best with her continued recovery.”

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