Former Mayor Raises over £105,000 for Cancer Fund for Children

October 14, 2019

Cancer Fund for Children receives a donation of £105,050 from the former Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin who chose it as his mayoral charity.

This local charity plays an important part in supporting children and young people from the point of diagnosis, through treatment to when they return home. It also offers a support service to those bereaved families who have lost a child to cancer or children who may have a parent or sibling with cancer.

Councillor Mackin said: “I sincerely thank everyone who supported the fundraising events and initiatives held during my mayoral term. I am amazed by the amount raised; and I know it will provide much needed support to young people diagnosed with cancer and their families. Cancer changes lives in a heartbeat and involves a long journey of hospitals and treatments, affecting all the family.

“It is a non-discriminatory condition and during my mayoral term I met children of all ages, including a baby, who have been diagnosed with cancer. The significant sum raised for Cancer Fund for Children shows that the Lisburn Castlereagh community has solidarity, hope and compassion for every local family and further afield who has a child going through a cancer diagnosis or cancer treatment.”

Councillor Mackin held a range of events through his mayoral term such as: a Motorcycle Ride Out, Lisburn City Old Vehicle Club Vintage Car Run, Half Marathon & Fun Run, a Ladies Movie Night, Boys Brigade events, a Golf Day, Twilight by Fairylight, the Mayor’s Carnival Parade and Family Fun Day, Carol Singing, a St Patrick’s Concert, Spinathons, a Colour Run and many more. Donations were also made by the public and community organisations through events they hosted.

Phil Alexander, CEO Cancer Fund for Children, added: “It is the sad reality that every week in Northern Ireland, another three families get the devastating news that their child or young person has cancer and Cancer Fund for Children exist to ensure that no family has to face that journey alone. The amazing partnership with Councillor Uel Mackin and the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has allowed us to be there for those families when they need it the most. We are so grateful for the passion and commitment that Uel has brought throughout this year and we are blown away by the generosity of the people of Lisburn and Castlereagh."