£5475 cheque handed over to Marie Curie

At the cheque presentation were Pauls sister Mary (Magee) Kennedy, his wife Helen, his mother, Kathleen, councillor Yvonne Craig and representative of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Also included werePauls children Jack (8) and Holly (10) Magee and Malachy Kennedy (8). US1432-501cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Helen Magee, from Hunter’s Chase, whose husband Paul (45) died of pancreatic cancer in January 28, organised a fundraising night at Lurgan Golf Club on June 6 where Paul had been a member.

Among the prizes that helped raise the money on the night ranged from a two night stay at Cartan House in Maynooth, a Rally Driving Experience and a voucher for the Galgorm Hotel. A host of other prizes such as meals for two and a chocolate hamper were also balloted on the night.

Helen, a school teacher at Ballymacrickett Primary in Glenavy, was also helped by a fundraising committee of five. They were Brendan O’Neill who was compere on the evening and Vice Principal of Ballymacrickett PS, Helen’s sister Sharon Skelton, Paul’s sister Mary (Magee) Kennedy as well as friends Nicola Hughes and Robert McVeigh.

That night Helen and Paul’s children Jack (8) and daughter Holly (10), even sold loom bands on the night which raised £80.

Paul (45) who worked as an explosives engineer for Ulster Industrial Explosives was diagnosed on October 17 last year and died three months later at the Cancer Centre at the City Hospital.

Paul, a keen golfer who was club champion at Lurgan Golf Club at the end of September last year, was diagnosed with cancer in October last year.

Despite stints placed in his liver followed by courses of chemotherapy he spent the remainder of his life at the cancer centre at the City Hospital where he died.

Marie Cure Cancer Care representative Yvonne Craig and Lisburn Councillor accepted the cheque recently.

“I was bowled over by the amount of the money that was raised by Helen and greatly moved by the tragedy that spurred her to organise it just six short months after her dear husband’s death,” said Yvonne.

“Marie Curie Cancer care offer terminally ill people nursing care both in their hospice and at home, each hour costs £20 so the amount raised will provide 274 hours of Marie Curie nursing time, care and understanding.”

Helen would like to thank those who helped, those who kindly donated prizes and also those who attended the event to make it the success that it was.