VIEW, Issue five, 2012


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 24


Launch: Gillian Stewart (left) and Holly Sweeney helping to promote mini-Olympics event


Help children with cancer by joining mini-Olympics W


gold.


ITH summer 2012 nearly upon us, Olympic fever is reaching boiling point and a local charity is hoping to turn our obsession with sport into


dren (NICFC) is recruiting five-strong corporate teams of wannabe Olympians to go head-to-head in their very own Mini Olympics on June 22. Last June, the NICFC’s Old Skool Sports Day,


which raised more than £6,000, allowed partici- pants to relive their youth, competing in old favourites such as the egg and spoon and the sack race.


signed up to this year’s event, the fundraising team are confident their target of £10,000 will be met. Teams will battle for first place in Olympic-


style events such as hurdles, 500m relay, shot put and cross country. There will also be competitions such as tug- of-war and an obstacle course. The organisers hope there will be plenty of


With a healthy number of teams already The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Chil-


people living with cancer.” Teams of five are to meet at Belfast Rugby


Club on June 22 for registration at 5pm, with the games beginning at 6pm. Each team should com- plete a registration form before the event and a registration fee of £15 per person is required, along with a minimum team sponsorship of £200. The registration fee includes a burger from


the barbecue for each participant. There will also be bar facilities on the day. With three children, teenagers or young peo-


people buzzing from their achievements in May’s Belfast Marathon, who will be keen to keep their fitness levels up and support the NICFC by signing up for this day of fun and fundraising. NICFC corporate fundraising manager Joanne


McCallister told VIEW that many of the businesses who took part in last year’s day of sport have al- ready signed up to the 2012 Mini Olympics. Ms McCallister has urged workmates to get their teams together quickly. “This one-off event will suit people of all ages and abilities. “Whether you are looking for a sporting challenge or just a bit of fun, this event has some- thing to offer everyone. “We are calling on as many businesses as possible to sign up and help NI Cancer Fund for Children raise vital funds for children and young


ple receiving a cancer diagnosis every week in Northern Ireland, the NICFC’s services remain in high demand.


aged up to 24 years old, as well as their families, providing emotional, practical and financial support. They also support young people whose parents are living with cancer. Its residential facilities at Shimna Valley in


Newcastle and Pine and Birch Cottages in Col- eraine allow families respite and relaxation, free of charge.


ley, said fundraising from events like the Mini Olympics is crucial for the work of the NICFC. She said: “Generosity of the public is central


to what we do. We couldn’t be Northern Ireland’s leading children’s charity without it.” Patricia told VIEW it costs an estimated


Patricia Kidd, complex manager at Shimna Val- The organisation works with cancer patients


With the Olympics nearly upon us, Belfast is staging its own mini-games in aid of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Heather McGarrigle reports


£120,000 to £125,000 annually to run Shimna Val- ley, which sees between 250 and 300 families per year come through its doors. It is hoped they will be able to open a new building soon to provide more space and support. However, she believes the Mini Olympics will


bring more than just vital cash. “It will be a lovely day for the families, who I am sure will be invited to come and watch the games. “It is great for the children to see what peo-


ple are doing to raise money for the organisation, and also to enjoy a good day out.” Gillian Creevy, chief executive of NICFC, said:


“NICFC's service provision is now an integral component of the model that is treatment and care for children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and their families, in North- ern Ireland. “However less than one percent of our an-


nual operating budget comes from Government and delivery of our services is almost entirely de- pendant upon being successful with our fundraising effort. We are fortunate in having an extremely committed and dedicated fundraising team and events such as this one are an important part of our fundraising mix.’


• To register, phone 028 9080 5599 or email fundraising@nicfc.com More information can be found on on www.nicfc.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24