30,000 thanks!

The news was revealed by treasurer Alice Patton at the recent AGM of the local hospice support group.

The sum was raised by many events including a golf sponsorship event, the Christmas Day Freeze Knees swim and a charity breakfast.

Gratitude was expressed to all those who held money-raising events for Hospice throughout the year and to those who gave donations.

The sum raised by ‘money in lieu of wreaths’ had greatly increased and sincere gratitude was expressed to all the generous donors.

Speaker at the AGM, Siofra Healy from Northern Ireland Hospice, told the meeting that support groups in the province had increased their input by ten per cent, raising £425,000 for the charity during the year.

Another speaker Louise McLaughlin, a community nurse for the children’s service, explained that the children’s hospice Horizon House had cared for 232 children with life-threatening conditions throughout the year.

As well as providing health care in hospice, most children prefer to remain at home so the community nurses going into the children’s homes provide a valuable part of the service to the ill child and to the family.

At the election of officer bearers, Ailna Smyth was re-elected chairman, Ann Kane was re-elected secretary and Alice Patton was re-elected treasurer.