Mae Murray Foundation opens new premises at Redlands Crescent in Larne
Mae Murray Foundation has officially opened its new premises near the Port of Larne – a landmark moment for the charity as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The new building at Redlands Crescent will serve as the base for the Foundation’s office staff and project team, providing an operational home that supports the charity’s continued growth.
More importantly, it will offer a welcoming community space designed to benefit people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and beliefs across the Larne area, and further afield.
From this new location, the Foundation will expand its equipment loan scheme, giving families access to essential resources that can support mobility, independence, and meaningful participation. The premises will also provide a setting for social initiatives aimed at addressing loneliness and isolation, creating opportunities for connection, confidence-building, and inclusive activities. Further developments and programmes will be announced in the months ahead.
The opening was carried out on Monday, November 24, by Michael Murray, husband of the late Mae Murray, and Talia, Mae’s granddaughter.
Founded in 2015 by Alix Crawford, Mae’s daughter, Mae Murray Foundation was born from her own lived experience raising her daughter, Talia, who has cerebral palsy. Alix established the charity in memory of her late mum, choosing the name to honour Mae’s positive, solution-focused outlook on life. Mae was a lecturer at Northern Regional College, more locally remembered as the tech, and loved nothing more than finding new ways to support Talia and make sure she was included.
Over the past ten years, that ethos has guided the Foundation’s work and helped shape its commitment to inclusion and opportunity for all across NI. “This new space represents a decade of progress, creating change, and community support,” said Alix. “It feels incredibly fitting that in our tenth anniversary year, we are taking this significant step forward — and doing so in a place that carries my mum’s name and spirit.”
The Foundation’s Chief Executive, Kyleigh Lough added: “We are so proud to be expanding our services here in our hometown. This space will enable us to engage much more with our members and the local community. We are keen to welcome a wide range of age groups to our home, from early years through to older adults. No one should feel isolated or excluded.”
As part of the official opening morning, a group from Roddensvale School attended the Foundation’s new premises to enjoy a magic show by magician, Fizz Wizz Pop. The popular entertainer also read from the newly-launched book, Vitamin Sea for Everyone. The children’s tale was written by Ruth Hunter, a Professor of Public Health and Planetary Health at QUB Belfast whose research explores how the environment, the climate and where we live can impact our health and wellbeing.
Vitamin Sea for Everyone celebrates Mae Murray Foundation's work to create Inclusive Beaches – a planned beach environment where people of all ages and abilities can take part, have fun, and be included. Aside from access, parking, and disabled toilets to Changing Places wherever possible, this also includes the beach equipment loan scheme, which provides the opportunity to borrow a range of mobility equipment suited to a beach environment.