Hats off to Emergency Services
12 Jan 2009
The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children held a special ceremony today, Monday 12 January, at Shimna Valley Complex, Newcastle to mark the end of a unique year-long partnership which united the Northern Ireland’s 999 Emergency Services - Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and Her Majesty’s Coastguard (HMC) and to celebrate the outstanding amount of £264,109.11 raised by the services during an ambitious fundraising drive in 2008.
Through the partnership the services have helped fund “Young Shoulders”, a pilot residential based service, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, which supports children and young people aged 11-21 years old living with a parent diagnosed with cancer. Monies raised from the relationship will also help initiate the re-development of Shimna Valley Holiday House, offering an improved service to children and their families who are living with cancer.
With the combined efforts of the emergency services, the funds raised for the local charity have surpassed all expectations. The outstanding amount was raised through a series of activities ranging from bag packs at local shops, dragon boat races at the Carrick Family Fun Day, province-wide car washes to talent shows
Commenting on the relationship, Gillian Creevy Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, said – “Thanks to the support of the 999 Emergency Services we have been able to launch our Young Shoulders programme years earlier than we could ever have hoped and already we are regularly supporting young people between the ages of 8 and 18 who have been referred to us from right across the province. I have been overwhelmed with the boundless energy and enthusiasm displayed by the personnel from the services, helping us to make 2008 our most exciting and productive year ever. Thank you.”
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton said "The Police Service along with the other three emergency services is delighted to have raised £264,109.11 for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. The generosity of the staff within our organisations and general public has been wonderful. Our aim at the start of the year was to raise £200,000 and to have exceeded this amount by over £60,000 in the current economic climate is absolutely amazing and a credit to all involved.
"During 2008 the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children was able to launch a new service called ‘Young Shoulders2 this could not have taken place without the kindness of people within our communities. On behalf of all of the emergency services I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 999 Charity of the Year."
Colin Lammey, Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) added – “We are delighted with the amount of money raised for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children and pleased so many staff got involved and worked with their other emergency service colleagues on this unique fundraising partnership. As well as individual fundraising events a number of joint fundraising initiatives were organised, contributing greatly to the overall fundraising total. We believe each organisation will reap the benefit of this charity partnership through closer working relationships when responding to future emergency incidents.”
Liam McIvor, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) continued - "The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is grateful for having had the opportunity this year to work with the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, and the other emergency services, to help those whose lives are impacted by cancer. We deal with the sick and vulnerable every day but this fundraising campaign has allowed us to contribute much more and to hear, at first hand, how much the efforts of the ambulance staff have been appreciated."
As the official 999 Charity Partnership comes to a close, the charity continues to provide nurturing care to hundreds of children who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families, at a time of immense stress and anxiety. For more information about NICFC and how you can support the charity please contact Joanne Steele at on 028 9080 5599 or email joanne@nicfc.com.
