NI Children's Hospice receive cheque from Mrs Joan Christie

A cheque was presented by Mrs Joan Christie CVO, OBE to NI Children’s Hospice for £3,735.25 at a special reception held in the Braid.

In March of this year, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, held a celebratory gala dinner that showcased the work and career of Mrs Christie’s 11 year tenure as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim.

The Councils agrees that money from this event be distributed to a worthy cause and it was Mrs Christie’s wish the money be gifted to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice for their ‘I’m Coming Home’ project.

This project supports families with sick children to allow them the opportunity to spend precious time at home with their family and friends.

The money presented to the charity at this special reception, will help support a team of highly trained and experienced paediatric nurses that can stay with the family, providing care 24 hours a day, during this precious family time.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: “Elected Members, staff and local community groups have been truly blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to work so closely with Mrs Christie over the years.

“Mrs Christie continues to be an inspirational champion of community groups and young people throughout County Antrim and right across the region and the gifting of this money to this special project only further enhances the example set by Mrs Christie throughout her time as Lord-Lieutenant.”

Mrs Christie, added: “I would like to thank all those involved in the organising committee and I am delighted that such a very worthy cause is benefiting from the Tullyglass event.”

In attendance at the cheque presentation were members of the organising Committee, representatives from the County Antrim Councils, NI Hospice Chief Executive Heather Weir, Trustee David Clements and representatives from the local support group.