Phenomenal fundraising!

Siofra Healy (seated second left), from the Northern Ireland Hospice, is pictured receiving a cheque for £60,000 from Ballymena Branch Treasurer Jim McGookin, money raised from last years fundraising. Included is branch chairman Helen Knox and committee members. INBT12-213AC

Treasuer Mr J McGookin presented the cheque to Ms. Siofra Healy, Director of Income Generation, Marketing and P.R. for N. I. Hospice at the group’s AGM.

Mrs. Helen Knox, Chairperson for the Support Group, thanked the people and businesses of the Borough of Ballymena and beyond who have enabled NI Hospice to provide hospice services for families in our community.

Mrs. Knox expressed gratitude to Ballymena Borough Council who had recently agreed to the generous contribution of £25,000 in the 2014/15 financial year towards the redevelopment of the premises at Somerton Road. She also thanked Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their continued generous support of the work of N. I. Hospice again this year.

She said: “Despite the ongoing difficult economic climate hospice services must continue for those that need it and we hope that we can continue to count on the support of the people of the Borough of Ballymena.”

Over the past year the committee has organised numerous events such as street collections, collection at Ballymena Rugby Football Club match, bag packing days, a sponsored walk, a Chinese Banquet, Fashion Show, as well as the annual Christmas Fair at the Tullyglass House Hotel. Mrs. Knox also thanked the individuals and Clubs/organisations who ran events and donated the funds raised to N. I. Hospice through the Ballymena Support Group.

While the committee members give of their time and effort, they are aware that success depends on others and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported them over the year including those who placed coins in a collection box, volunteered at one of the events, displayed a collection box in business premises or provided prizes for ballots.

Mrs Knox highlighted the generosity of the Management of the Leighinmohr House Hotel who facilitate the meetings of the Group and provided a venue for fund raising events.

The Group are urgently seeking new volunteers from the greater Ballymena area to help them to continue fundraising for the Hospice.

There are many different fundraising volunteer roles ranging from volunteering for two hours at a street collection or bag packing to being a full time member of the Ballymena Hospice Support Group. If you feel that you would like to help in any way or feel that you would like to join the committee contact Muriel Barr (028) 25656211 or Jimmy McGookin (028) 25643805.