Published Date:
30 June 2009
SUPPORTERS of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity who braved the dismal weather for the 11th annual barbecue, were rewarded with a great night of dancing and delicious food.
This year's event was held on Friday night at McMullan's farm, Clintyfinnan Road, Armoy – the venue for the very first BBQ in 1998.
And the crowd of over 500 supporters received a very warm welcome once again from James Mc Mullan, his wife Elizabeth and their sons.
Head chef on the night was Sean Scullion who, along with a team of volunteers from Cushendun, made sure that everyone was fed and watered with a mouth watering meat feast supplied by Doherty and Gray. And with the rain making an appearance on the night, everyone certainly got watered!
However, nothing would deter the culinary team from their task of feeding the 500 - they simply put their hoods up, got their umbrellas out and cooked up a storm.
Newly appointed Chairperson of the Moyle branch of the charity, Helen McCambridge, said she was "delighted" with the fantastic turnout.
"It is quite a task trying to feed such a large crowd each year but our brilliant team of volunteers always make sure that everything runs smoothly on the night," she said.
The Moyle branch of the charity has been in existence for almost two decades in the area providing a much appreciated service caring for terminally ill cancer patients in their own home.
"The people of Moyle have been supporting the important work of the Marie Curie since it was established 17 years ago not only financially but by giving up their time to volunteer and raise funds," Helen added.
Most recently the well respected charity, which offers its care services free of charge, has been tirelessly campaigning for more patients to have the right to be cared for and to live to the end of their lives in their own home.
Said Helen: "Many of the charity's supporters have experienced, first hand, the invaluable professional support of Marie Curie Nurses has given to family members or friends. Their wish is then to give a financial donation in appreciation which, also, ensures that others may benefit from this service which is free to the patients."
She continued: "Our supporters help us to raise around £45,000 a year which enables us to continue the vital work and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support, not just at the barbecue but throughout the year."
Helen, the 26-year-old primary school teacher from Carey, took over the reins of Chairperson earlier this year from her mother Catherine McCambridge who held the post for 12 years.
"I felt that after over a decade in the position that it was time to vacate the chair and let a new face with fresh ideas take over. We hope that this will attract a wider age group of supporters who will continue the good work for the next 17 years and beyond," said Catherine.
With her first major fundraiser as Chairperson over, Helen said that the Marie Curie Moyle branch were extremely thankful to the following local businesses who generously supported the event - Boyle's Spar Ballycastle, Genesis, Magherafelt, Mac Rental (who provided toilets and eye-catching signage on the Drones Road,) Victor Armstrong, Ballymoney, Ciaran Campbell & Co. and Carson Glass, Bushmills.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to the McMullan family for their premises, Florrie and Jason of St John's Ambulance Brigade, Moycraig YFC, Fr O'Kane of Culfeightrin Parish, Niall McKeague of the Harbour Bar, Ballycastle and all our members and other volunteers who assisted with this successful event."
She concluded. "See you all next year!"
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Last Updated:
30 June 2009 11:49 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Ballymoney