Northern Ireland volunteers

CLIC Sargent Northern Ireland will be hosting a special evening reception to say thank you to its dedicated volunteers for their continuing support to the cause.

This week (Monday June 1st to Sunday June 7th) is the 25th anniversary of National Volunteers’ Week and the charity is using the UK's annual celebration of volunteering as an opportunity to thank its own committed group of supporters.

The 90 volunteers, who range in age from early 20’s to 70’s, all give up some of their spare time to assist in a variety of ways to help families affected by childhood cancer. 

As a way of recognising their efforts, supporters are being invited to Parliament Buildings in Stormont on Wednesday (June 3rd) for a special celebratory evening. The event will be attended by Chief Executive Sarah Talbot-Williams and will include speeches from some of the charity’s frontline service staff, community play specialist Naomi Spence and young person’s social worker Suzanne Mooney, as well as Heather Pollack, the chairperson of Causeway Support Group which regularly fundraises for CLIC Sargent. There will also be special awards presented to supporters in recognition of the contribution they have made to the charity.

Among the volunteers attending on the night will be Noel and Barbara Stephens who have been dedicated supporters of CLIC Sargent for the last 16 years. Their son was diagnosed with a tumour when he was twelve and during that difficult time the whole family were supported by one of the charity’s social workers. Their son is now 28 and leading a full life. Noel and Barbara Stephens remain active supporters of the cause, organising fundraising events, helping with local collections and Noel is an active member of the Northern Ireland Advisory Forum.

“During my son’s illness our social worker was invaluable to us and I know from personal experience how important it is for families to have support at the time they need it most,” said Noel.  

“We are so fortunate that our child has done so well for the last 16 years. I choose to give up my time to support CLIC Sargent because I want to give something back.”

Local Event Fundraising Manager for CLIC Sargent, Claire McAuley, said: “I would like to take this opportunity during National Volunteers’ Week to say a massive thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who support CLIC Sargent. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a range of skills and experience, fresh energy and enthusiasm to the charity.  Whether they are able to offer the occasional hour or several days, their support is essential and helps make a real difference to families whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer.”

If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare and you would like to make them count you can find out more about volunteering opportunities within the charity by calling the Northern Ireland office on 02890 725 780 or visit the Volunteer page.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• For any media enquiries please contact Suzanne Palmer in the CLIC Sargent press office on 0117 3148621 or email: suzanne.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk