Raising funds for transplant patients

Adeva Hillis, who earlier this year donated a kidney to her dad Paul Magill, with local MLA and Organ Donation campaigner Jo-Anne Dobson.

Banbridge lady Adeva Hillis is organising a coffee morning and raffle draw to raise money and awareness about organ donation.

Read: ‘Donating kidney to Dad was the easiest decision to make’

Earlier this year, Adeva bravely donated a kidney to her dad Paul Magill after his kidneys had failed.

He had suffered with kidney disease for some time and when he needed the transplant, his daughter said it was “the easiest decision to make.”

The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 19 from 10am to noon at The Snugg Restaurant at The Albert in Newry Street.

Supporting Adeva’s event Organ Donation campaigner, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, whose son Mark is a kidney transplant recipient, said: “Adeva is a true inspiration! Giving a kidney is one of the most selfless acts which anyone can do and this makes her a truly amazing person.

“Through her donation she has given her dad, who was diagnosed with kidney disease around seven years ago, the ultimate gift of life.

“I applaud her for arranging this coffee morning and raffle to support and promote NIKPA a local charity which has been very close to my heart for many years. NIKPA is dedicated to the supporting Northern Ireland’s kidney patients, their families and carers and is run by kidney patients, their relatives and friends.

“They provide dedicated support to kidney patients and their families – whether its help with home heating costs because kidney recipients always feel the cold, or thoughtful advice and guidance from kidney recipients themselves.

“I encourage everyone to pop in for some tea, coffee and cake and also commend all of the local businesses who have kindly donated fantastic raffle prizes towards this very worthy cause.”

Raffle tickets are sold at £1 each and are available in advance from The Albert, Bistro, Doreen’s, Michael Wards and The Windsor Bakery and the raffle draw will take place at 11:30 during the coffee morning.

All proceeds will go directly to local charity The Northern Ireland Kidney Patients Association.