The Donard Fundraising Group has been in action raising further funds for worthwhile local charities.
The Group’s chairman Paul Madden said: “The volunteer-based Donard Fundraising Group are delighted to donate another £781.40 to Marie Curie Cancer Care, to pay for an additional and vital ’39 Hours’ of palliative nursing care for anyone in our local area who suffers from cancer or a terminal illness, who needs this free, dignified and compassionate care in their home or at the Marie Curie Belfast Hospice.”
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Donard Fundraising Group volunteers (back row) Kate Pell, Roisin Kelly, Alice Anderson, Wendy Campbell-Rice, Shauna Goodall, Paddy Totton (Front row from left) – Jacqui Mason (Donard Fundraising Group PR), Grace Smith (Marie Curie Belfast Hospice), young 7-year-old Raphael Madden, Amanda Scott (Marie Curie HQ) and Paul Madden (Donard Fundraising Group Chairman).[/caption]
Both cheques presentations were made last week at Castlewellan Forest Park Lake to Marie Curie.
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John Ward aka Yohi, from Castlewellan Town Football Club.[/caption]
He added: “We are overjoyed to be able to help Marie Curie as much as we possibly can, as this extremely worthy charity is particularly close to our hearts, and we have seen first hand the outstanding work it does day and night for the benefit of all our people and communities.
“Cancer is indiscriminate and insidious; and unfortunately there are very few families, if any, which haven’t been afflicted by it, which is one of the reasons why our Group works so tirelessly to raise much needed funds and awareness of Marie Curie.
“We would like to pay particular thanks to the Castlewellan Town Football Club, its Chairman Mr David Hutchman, and everyone involved with the great Toon Club for their exceptional support and fantastic end of season donation of £281.40, and to also extend a very special word of gratitude to John Ward aka Yohi, who goes out and collects donations around the pitch from supporters in all weathers, and always with a beaming smile, especially when the Toon are winning!
“It is entirely due to this amazing local kindness and generosity from across Down district, that to date, the Donard Fundraising Group has surpassed our wildest expectations, by raising and donating £23,517.40 to Marie Curie in our first year of existence, which will fund an incredible extra 1175 hours of essential local palliative nursing care.”
Paul Madded added: “The icing on our first DFG birthday cake, was being able to celebrate it in the way that we love most, by donating half of our recent Down District Council Chairman’s £1,000 prize award for ‘Best New Charity’ to Marie Curie Cancer Care, just in time for their annual ‘Blooming Great Tea Party’ – which we would encourage everyone to support”.
The Donard Fundraising Group can be contacted via: www.facebook.com/donardfg
Tel/text: 07599 809280 or 07974 392790,
Email: donardfg@hotmail.com
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