Ulster Hospital ‘Paeds in a Pod’ diabetes support charity gives thanks Seaforde Working Vintage Club for £15,000 donation
All hands were recently to the pump from members of Seaforde Working Vintage Club.
A road run and tractor raffle raised a mammoth £15,000 for the Paediatric Diabetes and Children’s Ward in the UIster Hospital.
Iona and Gerard Finlay talked about their eight-year-old daughter Niamh’s Diabetes diagnosis in March 2022, and said: “We have been so well supported by the team at the Ulster Hospital.”
Iona said: “The level of care to Niamh and support to ourselves is difficult to put into words really.
“In the beginning, we may have had to call a couple of times a week, day or night and were always reassured and guided by the Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse (PDSN) and Maynard Ward.
“As well as support and personal care to Niamh, we have found the technology made available to us has changed Niamh’s standard of life immeasurably.
“In September 2022, Niamh was put onto a Blood Glucose Monitor called Libre Two which meant much less finger pricks in a day. Sometimes none.
“Then the following June, Niamh was given an insulin pump which has again, dramatically improved how Niamh and ourselves can manage her Diabetes care.”
Iona added: “We can see in a very real way, how money raised can help others like Niamh. We are so very grateful for the money raised which will help the Ulster Hospital support many other children like Niamh.”
Niamh’s grandfather Michael McKibben said that each year the group pick a charity to support and raise funds for. He added: “It was suggested that we support the Children’s Diabetic Ward at the Ulster Hospital.
“This was something I was keen to support as my grandson and granddaughter had both been diagnosed with Diabetes in the last few years.
“David ‘Davy’ Martin our Chairman, was also very open to idea as his son Edward also has Diabetes.”
“We found people were very happy to support us, and discovered over the various fundraising days, that lots of people had experiences within their own family with diabetes, and were more than happy to support the cause.”
Ulster Hospital Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Rachel Boyle said: “The Paediatric Diabetes Service is so grateful for the generous donation which will be used to benefit the Children’s Unit within the Ulster Hospital.
“A diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is challenging for children and young people and their families on a day to day basis.
“The needs of families change continuously as children and young people grow and develop throughout their journey living with Diabetes.
“As a service, we are looking forward to the opportunity to provide resources and to facilitate vital peer support for children, young people and families to support them in their journey from diagnosis and beyond.
“The donation will not only be of great benefit to families living with Diabetes, but will be used to provide a positive impact for all who experience use of hospital services within the Children’s Unit”, added Rachel.
