In The News

Public responds generously to local fundraising efforts

Public responds generously to local fundraising efforts

THERE’S been a generous response from the public to Christmas fundraising efforts by local charities.

The Northern Ireland Hospice Lights To Remember Appeal has already raised more than £149,000.

The money has been raised by people sponsoring a light on the tree in the grounds of the adult hospice at Somerton Road in Belfast. 

The fundraising effort has a target of £200,000. 

Paul Clark, President of the Northern Ireland Hospice, had already expressed the hope that by Christmas Eve the tree would be shining with thousands of lights. With the fantastic response that hope has been achieved, but there is still time to add more lights to the tree.

To make a donation to The Lights to Remember Appeal, click here.

CLIC SARGENT

A number of other organisations are holding fundraising efforts.

Clic Sargent, the charity which looks after children and young adults suffering from cancer, is appealing for donations for its Northern Ireland Homes from Home appeal.

There’s already been fantastic news for the charity. The Belfast Telegraph had run its Christmas Appeal to benefit Homes from Home — setting a target of £50,000. Tele readers came up trumps and the target has been achieved, but there is still time to help boost the final figure. To donate to the appeal text CLIC04£ (followed by the amount you wish to contribute) to 70070.

All money raised goes to the provision of two Homes from Home for young patients and their relatives. The properties will be established at locations which are within walking distance of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and Belfast City Hospital and the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre there.

The charity has found that, on average, a family in Northern Ireland will make a round-trip of 95 miles, up to five times a week so that they can access the cancer treatment their child needs.

BLACK SANTA

The annual Christmas sit-out by the Dean of St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast is reported to be on course to raise around £200,000 for charity.

The appeal has become known as Black Santa — because of the distinctive black cloak originally worn by a previous Dean. The current Dean, the Very Rev. John Mann, began his sit-out on the steps of the Cathedral on December 15.

Since the sit-outs began in the mid-1970s, millions of pounds have been raised for charities.

OTHER APPEALS

Among the other organistions seeking donations are the Foyle Hospice click here, the Southern Area Hospice click here, and the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast click here.

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