Cancer Fund for Children Announced as Mayor's Charity
June 20, 2018
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s newly elected Mayor, Councillor Uel Mackin, has announced his Mayoral Charity for his year in Office. During his 2018 - 2019 term, The Mayor will be raising money for local children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children.
Every week in Northern Ireland, three children and young people aged 0-24 are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Fund for Children understands the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have on the whole family and that beyond the essential clinical care there is a family life that needs to be rebuilt at home and in the community.
Their team of experienced Specialists help families cope with the impact cancer has on their lives, supporting them through life during and after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. Cancer Fund for Children’s aim is to support families so that they don’t have to face cancer alone.
And, as well as supporting families when a child is diagnosed with cancer, Cancer Fund for Children also provides support to children, and their families when a parent receives a cancer diagnosis. Every week in Northern Ireland, Cancer Fund for Children supports another nine children who have a parent diagnosed with cancer.
Speaking about why he chose Cancer Fund for Children as his charity, the Mayor explained: “Cancer has affected nearly all extended families in Northern Ireland and while it is a diagnosis we all dread, the added shock and cruelty of a cancer diagnosis for a child is impossible for us to imagine and I wanted to use my time as Mayor to do whatever I can to make that pain even a little more bearable.
“A cancer diagnosis affects all the family and this charity carries out amazing work, providing much needed support for not just the young person affected by cancer, but the whole family unit, so they don’t have to face it alone.” said Councillor Mackin.
Every year, Cancer Fund for Children supports on average 500 families affected by cancer across Northern Ireland, providing them with a range of practical, emotional and financial support, as well as free therapeutic short breaks, to help them cope with the impact cancer has on their lives. The charity recently announced that its therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge had provided over 1,500 short breaks to families, giving them a unique opportunity to spend quality time together, away from the stresses of cancer treatment and hospital visits.
The charity’s Corporate Fundraiser, Lauren Cunningham said “First of all, a huge congratulations to Councillor Uel Mackin on his election to the role of Mayor. We are absolutely delighted he has decided to use his year in Office to support Cancer Fund for Children as his Mayoral charity.
“As a local charity, we receive less than 0.5% of our income from government funding and really rely on the generosity and support of the local community and businesses to raise vital funds to help deliver our services. Partnerships like this really do make such a difference to local families living with cancer. We are very much looking forward to working with the Mayor and Council over the next year.”
During the year, the Mayor’s Office will be organising and hosting a wide range of fundraising events and is hopeful that local residents and businesses will consider supporting the Mayoral Charity for any fundraising events organised within the local community.
“I have been continually amazed and humbled by the ongoing generosity of the people of Lisburn & Castlereagh and I thank them for it and hope that through working with Cancer Fund For Children we can all dig deep into our pockets and make a real difference to the lives of young people affected by cancer and their families, here in Northern Ireland “said Councillor Mackin.
If you would like to learn more about how you can support the Mayor’s Charity please contact the Mayor’s Office on Tel: 028 9250 9331.
More information on Cancer Fund for Children can also be found at www.cancerfundforchildren.com
